March 12, 2024

Alzheimer's and Spatial Awareness in Oakbrook, IL

When Lack of Spatial Awareness Becomes Troubling

After a long day at work, Jack is enjoying a night in with a home-cooked meal. He's just about to turn in for the night when there's a knock at the door. It's the police. They've come to tell him that his 82-year-old mother, Mary, was involved in an accident. Everyone was okay, but there was property damage. Jack rushes to his mother's house and asks her what happened. It turns out she was driving home from the store and completely miscalculated how far her vehicle was from an outdoor café. She crashed into some fencing and could have seriously injured patrons trying to have dinner. Jack has already noted other symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, but now he's really terrified. He considers taking her keys and insisting he or his sister Carla provide all transportation.

How Alzheimer's Affects Visual and Spatial Awareness

With all the other symptoms he's been noticing, Jack is sure that this is yet another early sign of Alzheimer's. With a bit of research, he finds that Alzheimer's and spatial disorientation go hand in hand. People developing this condition often have trouble judging distance, but they may also find visual perception difficult in general. They may be unable to relate their position to an object or think objectively about something's location.

What Causes Misperceptions?

Jack wants to know more about what's been causing Mom's misperceptions. He calls her doctor and asks about the relationship between Alzheimer's and spatial awareness. The doctor says that dementia causes damage to the brain, and this damage can extend to the parts that process visual information. When these parts can no longer work correctly, people find it difficult, if not impossible, to recognize faces, judge distances and parse what they see in front of them.

Supporting a Loved One with Early-onset Alzheimer's

It makes Jack extremely sad to see his mother go through this. He knows she feels awful that she scared those people and is worried about what Alzheimer's means for quality of life. But Jack is committed to supporting his mother through this difficult disease. After speaking with her doctor, he resolves to try these strategies for supporting Mom:

Encouraging her to adapt hobbies to new circumstances, like trying audiobooks instead of traditional reading
Adding more lighting throughout her home
Refraining from bringing attention to mistakes and providing gentle reminders instead
Keeping a reassuring tone and ensuring Mom feels safe
Removing clutter from the home

BrightStar Care Is Here for You

Doing research and speaking with medical professionals has helped Jack better understand his mother's early-onset Alzheimer's. He and his sister make excellent caregivers, but they need support once in a while, too. When help is necessary, they look to Oakbrook, IL's BrightStar Care. Their in-home care professionals prioritize Mom's needs and offer companion care as well as skilled nursing. Contact the BrightStar Care team today to learn more about how we can help you.