Alzheimers Disease And Personality

One of the most distressing aspects of Alzheimer's disease is the complete personality change suffered by many people. This is especially distressing for the relatives and friends of the Alzheimer's patient. The general behavior and personality of Alzheimer's suffers in the latter stages often seems to be in complete contrast to typical behaviour exhibited throughout the patient's life.

Another facet of personality change due to Alzheimer's disease is the occasional emergence of an underlying feature of the person's character which had previously been well-hidden. For instance, previously unnoticed spiteful traits can be revealed. There is also a common tendency in Alzheimer's disease, mainly in the later stages, for anxiety, nervousness or verbal and physical aggression to surface.

Many Alzheimer's sufferers retain their personality, albeit with accompanying memory loss and orientation problems. However, others can exhibit varying mood swings which can fluctuate from being ecstatically happy to very sad. In the later stages of Alzheimer's disease, these underlying traits can become very prominent and problematic. For example, combatting verbal aggression or continuing anxiety may require continuous reassurance from carergivers and friends.

Very often personal hygiene becomes a major issue for sufferers of Alzheimer's disease. Washing and bathing often becomes sporadic or is forgotten altogether. Additionally, Alzheimer's disease sufferers who were formerly very fastidious in areas of hygiene may become very lax. This can be very distressing for the sufferer's friends and relatives, especially if clothing is stained with urine or feces. It is common for Alzheimer's sufferers to leave the toilet before they are entirely finished or to be inefficient in cleaning after relieving themselves. Therefore, odor as well as soiled clothes and hands can be problematic. Undressing in public and inadvertant genital exhibition or fondling can also become a problem if not carefully monitored. It can be a source of untold embarrassment to relatives and carergivers.

It is important for carergivers and relatives to take into account that the acts of soiling or untoward behavior need to addressed while remembering the value of maintaining the patient's dignity at all times. Dignity is a very precious commodity when suffering from Alzheimer's disease, as their dignity is often all they have remaining.

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Barbara Jones writes for several web sites, on health and fitness topics.