The sense of smell is typically the first sense affected by Alzheimer’s disease. However, it is important to note that every sense may become impaired as the disease progresses.
Smell
This is generally the first sense to be impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. At the early stages, individuals may become confused as to what they are smelling. This, of course, can be quite dangerous, especially if something is burning on the stove or in the oven.
Use these tips to ensure your loved one stays safe while at home:
- All cleaning supplies/equipment should be locked away.
- Ensure all smoke detectors are working properly.
- Inspect all food items to see if they are up to date.
Sight
While there may not appear to be any physical abnormalities, the individual’s brain could have trouble processing images. This ultimately creates confusion when tasked with identifying even familiar people, places, and objects. In some cases, shapes and colors could be difficult to process.
Hearing
Even if individuals test well for hearing issues, this sense can still be impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s can create difficulty processing certain sounds and words.
This can sometimes make a few specific sounds quite confusing for the individual. Try keeping your loved one in a calm and quiet environment as much as possible. Always speak slowly, using short statements.
Touch
Anyone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease could experience trouble feeling both hot and cold sensations.
Try to always take these precautions related to touch:
- Color code both hot and cold areas of the home.
- Put a warning sticker on the oven.
- Install anti-scold devices on your plumbing system.
- Install safety devices to make ovens and stovetops unusable.
Taste
The ability to taste is undoubtedly affected when your hearing ability is impacted. Most concerns related to smell also apply to taste.
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