There are millions of people who get diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. With this being said, there are many people who may be told they have this disease, but they actually have another condition. There are many common conditions that may be mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease. If your elderly loved one has symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, check with their doctor first, to have them rule out other conditions.  

Vitamin Deficiencies 

There are many different vitamin deficiencies that may mimic this disease. One of those is a deficiency in Vitamin B12. If your elderly loved one has low B12 levels, they could become irritable, confused, or move slower than usual. This could also occur if your loved one has a deficiency in B1 or B6. If these symptoms arise, have your loved one see their doctor to rule out a vitamin deficiency first. If this is the issue, after being treated for the deficiency, your loved one’s symptoms should subside. 

Depression 

Another common condition that could be mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease is depression. Many elderly adults will become depressed and when this happens it may seem like they have Alzheimer’s disease. Depression can cause focus issues, disorientation, forgetfulness, and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Talk to your elderly loved one to see if they are feeling depressed. If so, have them talk to their doctor about depression treatments, to see if that clears up their symptoms.  

Thyroid Issues 

If your elderly loved one’s thyroid activity is not enough or too much this could cause symptoms that make it look like they have Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, your elderly loved one could have trouble focusing, irritability, trouble sleeping, and mood swings. If you notice these symptoms in your elderly loved one, they could have thyroid issues, instead of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Side Effects from Medications 

It is also possible that your elderly loved one could be having side effects from a medication they are taking. These side effects could be mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease, as well. Some of these side effects include memory loss and trouble concentrating. If your elderly loved one is taking any new medications and they start experiencing these symptoms, have them talk to their doctor to see if it could be a medication issue.  

These are some of the common conditions that may be mistake for Alzheimer’s disease. If your elderly loved one is experiencing the symptoms mentioned above, have them see their doctor to rule out these other conditions. 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering a Caregiver in Cary, NC please contact the caring staff at Affordable Family Care. Serving Raleigh, Greensboro, and the surrounding areas in North Carolina. Call today 919-676-1070

Sources 

https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352013

• Author
• Recent Posts

Donnie Shelton

Owner at Affordable Family Care Services, Inc.

Donnie graduated from Elon University in 1987 with a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing. He has worked in a variety of medical fields including a hospital equipment company, a medical equipment company, and home care. He opened Affordable Family Care Services in 2006 and it has grown to include upwards of 125 caregivers and many award-winning programs. Donnie, his wife Lesley, and their son Spencer live in the Raleigh area.Donnie is an avid golfer and fisherman.

Latest posts by Donnie Shelton (see all)

• Boosting Seniors’ Confidence After a Fall - November 25, 2024
• Tips for Preventing Diverticulitis - November 7, 2024
• Healthy Cleaning Products for Seniors - October 23, 2024