Watch For Signs of Alzheimer’s in Older Loved Ones During Holidays

(West Des Moines, IA) — While the holidays are a time for family gatherings, some Iowans might notice changes in a loved ones’ cognitive abilities that warrant further investigation. Lauren Livingston of the Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association says there are often clear signs a person may be developing one of the most common forms of dementia. Livingston says the main one is memory loss that disrupts their daily life. The association estimates 66-thousand Iowans are now living with Alzheimer’s and Livingston says many will show similar symptoms of a failing memory. She says there could be challenges in solving problems like simple math, figuring out the tip on a bill, things like that, or difficulty just completing daily tasks like they would do normally. The Alzheimer’s Association Helpline is a vital resource for concerns about cognitive changes affecting a loved one (800-272-3900).