Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative illness that attacks the brain, causing brain cells to gradually die. As Alzheimer’s disease affects each area of the brain, certain functions or abilities are lost.
Symptoms and characteristics
The early signs of Alzheimer’s disease are very subtle and also vary a great deal. The following list provides typical examples of symptoms that may be relevant to the workplace:
- memory loss such as forgetting appointments or meetings
- confusion about time and place, for example, forgetting the day of the week or where they are
- problems with language such as difficulty finding the right words
- difficulty concentrating
- poor or decreased judgment, for example, misjudging distance when driving
- misplacing things
- changes in personality or behaviour, rapid mood swings, or becoming confused and withdrawn
- feelings of uncertainty about making important decisions and losing confidence.
Workplace adjustments and solutions
In the workplace there are various factors that would greatly assist those with Alzheimer's disease to better manage their symptoms. These include:
- reducing hours of work and/or reducing responsibilities
- having one or two colleagues acting as supports in the workplace
- assistance with planning for the future—considering how to decide when the time is right to leave work (for some, taking on voluntary work instead is one way of keeping active while continuing to make a contribution to the community).
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
Alzheimer’s Australia 2006, What is dementia?, Alzheimer’s Australia, Canberra, viewed 15 December 2006, <http://www.alzheimers.org.au/content.cfm?infopageid=379>.