Take Me To Post Comment Form Some of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease include difficulties with not only short-term memory but also inappropriate use of words. Patients may engage in word substitution or regularly fail to understand oral and written directions as the disease process interferes with the synapses in the brain.
Typically, people in the middle stages of Alzheimer's disease exhibit repetitive speech and/or actions, disturbances in sleep/wake cycle, wandering or pacing and inappropriate language.
These problems may last a few days or months or years with periods of clarity followed by dips in cognition. These alternating periods of clear and confused thinking and speaking can be quite disturbing to caregivers as they wonder if the patient actually has this disease or whether some medication is working.
As language is so much a part of socialization, isolation and depression is common among Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers as the illness progresses and the patient becomes more dependent and less emotionally available to the spouse or the family.
Participants in the monthly support group meeting at Statesboro First United Methdist Church the second Monday of each month at 1:30 pm will find there are many ideas to improve the lives of the caregiver and the patient or "care partner".
Concerned persons in the area are encouraged to attend these monthly sessions as time allows. Call the Alzheimer's Association regional office in Savannah at 912-920-2231 or 1-800-272-3900 for additional information and for the 24 Hour Help Line.