Do people with Alzheimer's get startled more easily?

[keithbvadu2]

Do people with Alzheimer's get startled more easily?

My girlfriend is slowly developing Alzheimer's / dementia and it seems that I can walk near her and / or speak and it startles her.
Short term memory getting worse.
I have to handle her bills.
She never used to be that way.
Maybe she's getting more fixated on the task at hand without paying attention to her surroundings.

[targetpractice]

1. Sorry this is happening to someone you love...

I'm sure she loves your support.

I was the caregiver for my mother during early stages... She startled very easily... I explained it to myself that she was living moment to moment, without context, or much history. She simply forgot I was there or nearby.

Best wishes to you!

[phylny]

2. Yes.

It's not just memory that's affected, it's the entire brain. So, vision becomes restricted and she may not see you coming.

[LoisB]

3. I am sorry the two of you are experiencing this.

[LakeArenal]

4. I notice as I get older many noises bother me more.

Sometimes radio music doesn’t even sound like a tune until I listen for a bit. So I guess I’m saying aging may be a factor. But my mother had Alzheimer’s and EVERYTHING affected her.

My mom was a surly paranoid patient. My friend’s mom was quiet and very docile. I never saw her react to much of anything.

Good luck. I wish you both peace.

[Phoenix61]

5. No but hearing loss or vision impairment can make someone

startle more easily.

[keithbvadu2]

6. I think her hearing has gone downhill.

I think her hearing has gone downhill.

Her memory is pretty good when she is mad at me.

[Beastly Boy]

7. Has your girlfriend been diagnosed with Alzheimers?

Age-related mental (and physical) decline does not necessarily mean alzheimers. Getting a correct diagnosis will go a long way in treating her condition and managing her symptoms.

[keithbvadu2]

8. No. Way too early to do that. Still very early stages of whatever it is.

[Rebl2]

9. But wouldn't it,

if you are very concerned, be better to find out early and find out exactly what’s going on. That may not be the problem at all. Is she concerned?

[keithbvadu2]

10. Her biggest worry/fear is that her daughter will haul her off to Texas.

[Rebl2]

11. Oh dear

Does the daughter have power of attorney over her mother? If not, I don’t think she can make her move.

[keithbvadu2]

13. Her son does.

I have no legal power at all.

She is starting to realize that it may be coming.

She is still mostly with it but definitely showing.

[Beastly Boy]

12. No, it's never too early. The worst that can happen is you finding out she doesnt have it.

I have zero signs of Alzheimers, and I plan to get myself diagnosed next month (family history). The sooner one gets diagnosed, the easier it is to delay the onset of the disease. And it is very important to know that it's Alzheimer's your girlfriend needs treatment for. Being msdiagnosed or mistreated for a mental illness is really dangerous.