Irreverent checklist helps determine when it's not Alzheimer's

By Pam Walatka, Special to the Town Crier

Everyone becomes more forgetful as they age. But we often wonder if we are becoming so forgetful that we might have the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

John Timbs, family care specialist with the Alzheimer’s Association in Mountain View, has developed a kind of checklist to help people make a distinction between signs of a serious illness and just plain dopey behavior that everyone struggles with. Here’s his slightly irreverent guide:

When you call your spouse by the wrong name, that’s normal. When you make an effort and really can’t remember your spouse’s name (or have trouble recognizing your spouse) that might be Alzheimer’s.

If you goof up a routine task, such as writing a check or using the microwave, that’s normal. If you can’t remember how to do the task, that might be Alzheimer’s.

When you forget little things, that’s normal. When you forget so much that it disrupts your daily life, that might be Alzheimer’s.

If your personality changes as you age, that’s normal. If you change a lot - becoming extremely confused, suspicious, fearful, dependent or passive - that might be Alzheimer’s.

When you make mistakes, that’s normal. When you have a noticeable decline in good judgment, that might be Alzheimer’s.

If you forget some things that happened, that’s normal. If you can’t remember that your child visited you today, that might be Alzheimer’s.

When you have trouble remembering a word, that’s normal (the nouns are the first to go). When you forget so many words that people can’t understand you, that might be Alzheimer’s.

If you forget where you were going, that’s normal. If you can’t remember how to get home, that might be Alzheimer’s.

When you get moody from time to time, that’s normal. When you have inexplicable, rapid mood swings, that might be Alzheimer’s.

If you can’t find your car keys, that’s normal. If you find them in the refrigerator, that might be Alzheimer’s.

For free information and advice, drop by the Alzheimer’s Association office at Suite C, 2065 West El Camino, Mountain View (south of Rengstorff), or call 962-8111. The 24-hour number is (800) 660-1993. You can also visit www.alz.org.