Local nurse practitioner breaks down the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Alzheimer's disease is a progressive form of dementia impacting thousands of families across the Commonwealth. While it's natural to associate the disease with memory loss, doctors warn there are other early warning signs that may surprise you.

Michele Canfield, a Family Nurse Practitioner in the Neurology Department at St. Mary's, treats patients with Alzheimer's and said the symptoms can manifest in a variety of ways.

"I hear all the time from patients, you know, 'Oh, I lost my keys,' but I didn't think anything of it because we all lose our keys,'" Canfield explained.

However, she warned that other red flags often go unnoticed. One surprising symptom to watch for is poor judgment.

"Poor judgment sometimes could be one that not [a lot of] people tend to think about, like doing something crazy all of a sudden," Canfield said.

Other seemingly mundane actions could be warning signs, such as difficulty managing your checkbook, forgetting how to make a routine recipe or a change in sleep patterns.

What makes Alzheimer's so devastating is its physical impact on the brain. Canfield explains that the disease works to build up plaque and protein deposits within the brain, which causes the brain cells to essentially die.

This loss of function is why the disease progresses over time, affecting not just memory but executive function and personality.

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The number of people affected by Alzheimer's in Virginia is only projected to rise. According to the Virginia Department of Health, 150,000 people aged 65 and older are currently living with the disease in Virginia.

For Canfield, the fight against Alzheimer's is personal.

"Alzheimer's is close to my heart. You know, I have family here going through it right now. So it is a very sad and stressful disease, not only on the patients but also on family members," she said.

While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, experts stress that early diagnosis is critical for better patient outcomes.

"Meds are to slow the progression down so that you can get the most time with your family," Canfield noted. "But eventually, you know, the disease will progress."

Early intervention allows families to plan and utilize medications that can help maintain cognitive function for as long as possible.

To raise awareness and support for those affected by the disease, Canfield and her team, along with colleagues from Saint Francis and Memorial Regional, will be participating in the Alzheimer's Walk Saturday, Nov. 8 at city stadium.