Article by Liisa Ogburn.
Is it Alzheimer’s or just old age?
Not long ago, I started working with a client who was becoming increasingly forgetful. Her children, who lived in another state, hired me after a recent trip home to celebrate Mom’s 80th birthday. As often happens when there are long separations, certain changes (or declines) can seem more pronounced. One daughter noticed that Mom was no longer balancing her checkbook. The other noticed that there was no food in the fridge and that mom had lost weight. They both worried that Mom was not taking her meds correctly, if at all. They had been paying a neighbor to check in on mom several times a week, but they realized that this was no longer enough. They also worried that these signs might indicate Alzheimer’s. Mom, after all, had two of the three risk factors: she was older and her mother had had Alzheimer’s. (She did not, however, have the APOE-e4 Risk Gene.)
To read the entire article, go to: https://www.wral.com/is-it-alzheimer-s-/16967244/
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About the Author:
Liisa Ogburn is at the heart of Aging Advisors NC, bringing a rich blend of personal experience and global perspective to elder care. Raised in North Carolina with deep roots in Finland, Liisa has a unique appreciation for diverse approaches to aging, shaped by her life across different cultures including Finland, Estonia, Germany, England, Japan, and Costa Rica.
Her path into elder care consulting was deeply personal. While juggling her role as a Duke University educator and caring for her father-in-law and three young children, Liisa started sharing her family’s journey through articles for The New York Times and later, over 300 posts for WRAL Raleigh on everything from handling loss to choosing the right elder care options.
A teacher at heart, Liisa thrives on empowering others with knowledge. She offers her expertise in presentations to various groups—from churches to professional firms—and writes extensively, reaching audiences far and wide. Her credentials include certifications in geriatric care and a special certification from Brown University to teach Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, reinforcing her belief that calm minds make sound decisions.
