4. Loss of Common Sense and Judgment
It’s important to never ignore a loved one who has seemingly lost their common sense and ability to judge a situation. If they seem like they have become irresponsible or have deviated from behavior that was once normal for them, this could be a troubling sign. This may even manifest itself into something like wearing the wrong type of clothing for the situation without realizing it (i.e., an individual wearing a bathing suit to the grocery store). Some other common situations include:
– Making erratic financial decisions (i.e., an individual giving money to strangers rather than being careful with their budget).
– Missing out on payments that were previously always on time.
– Not being sure what numbers represent on their budget
– Falling for obvious scams
Loss of common sense for seemingly obvious things can be upsetting for you as the family member, but it’s important not to take this loss personally. Most individuals with Alzheimer’s aren’t aware that their judgment has changed or that they are interpreting things differently than they did before. At the first sign of a problem, make sure you take your loved one to the doctor so they have the best chance of fighting this progression.
