Yesterday was my mother-in-law Esther’s funeral. It was a small intimate group including all of her children. The service was held in a little chapel on the grounds of the cemetery where she was buried. As the Rabbi concluded, sunshine came streaming in through the windows of the chapel. I believe it was a sign from Esther that her soul had been set free. Free to roam and swim laps again in clear cool waters.

____1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life.

____2. Challenges in planning or solving problems.

____3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.

____4. Confusion with time or place.

____5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.

____6. New problems with words in speaking or writing.

____7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.

____8. Decreased or poor judgment.

____9. Withdrawal from work or social activities.

____10. Changes in mood and personality.

If you have questions about any of these warning signs, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends consulting a physician. Early diagnosis provides the best opportunities for treatment, support and future planning. For more information, go to alz.org/10signs.

Although Esther did not have a formal Alzheimer’s diagnosis, one of her doctors talked about possible vascular dementia, she had many of the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s.  Know the 10 early signs of Alzheimer’s.