By Carl V. Hill
When Zelda Hill was in college, he began noticing subtle changes in his father. The man who had always been precise began forgetting current events, mixing up dates and times, and getting lost in familiar places.
Zelda had seen memory loss in his grandparents before, and like many people, assumed it was a normal part of aging. With his father, though, he was more attuned to the changes in behavior, and the family sought medical advice.
First came a diagnosis of dementia, then Alzheimer’s disease. Zelda’s father was only in his 50s.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a progressive, degenerative brain disease that impairs memory, thinking and behavior.
Today, more than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2060, nearly 14 million Americans are expected to be living with Alzheimer’s.
Adult children like Zelda are often the first to notice when something seems off with their loved ones. Spouses, siblings and close friends may also pick up on early signs.
In my work, I’ve seen how early detection can lead to better outcomes. Acting on those early signs can make a profound difference, giving families more time to plan care.
Unfortunately, many families don’t receive a diagnosis until the disease has significantly progressed.
That’s why it’s so important to educate people on how to distinguish between “normal aging” and early signs of Alzheimer’s.
There are several key warning signs that families and friends can learn to distinguish Alzheimer’s from normal aging.
For example, occasionally forgetting a name and recalling it later is normal. But frequently forgetting recent information or asking the same question repeatedly can be a sign of disruptive memory loss.
Forgetting your umbrella on a rainy day isn’t necessarily cause for concern. However, consistently engaging in risky or unusual behavior –like leaving the stove on, falling for phone scams or wearing a heavy coat in hot weather –can be red flags.
Feeling frustrated from time to time is a normal part of life, but becoming unusually anxious, withdrawn or suspicious for extended periods can be early indicators of Alzheimer’s.
For Zelda, Alzheimer’s changed everything. His father, once gentle and dependable, became confused, sometimes agitated and eventually unable to recognize those who loved him.
Because Zelda recognized the signs early, he and his family were able to provide his father with the care and support he deserved.
Zelda’s story is proof that identifying patterns of cognitive and behavioral change early can make a profound difference in quality of life.
That is especially true for Black Americans, who are nearly twice as likely as white Americans to develop Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, but are less likely, due to societal stigma and a lack of access to competent care, to receive any type of diagnosis.
When we’re able to recognize the signs and reach out when we’re concerned about people we love, we can help ensure they receive the best possible care.
One call to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline connected Zelda’s family to programs, support and a community that truly understood what the family was going through. Today, Zelda serves as a community educator, helping other families like his and working to close the diagnosis gap.
Some changes come naturally with age, but Alzheimer’s isn’t one of them. Recognizing that difference in your loved ones – early and compassionately – can make all the difference.
Carl V. Hill, Ph.D., MPH is the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at the Alzheimer’s Association.
