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Privacy NoticeFormer GMTV host Fiona Phillips has shared the heartbreaking news that she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Sharing all about her condition and dementia battle with The Mirror, where she works as a columnist, the 62 year old TV star said that her disease has “ravaged” her family and now it has “come for” her. Fiona’s parents were sadly both diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, so she has battled the disease for her family for many years. Although at first Fiona was convinced her brain fog and anxiety was the result of a particularly bad menopause, she was diagnosed with the condition 18 months ago.
Fiona Phillips, pictured here in 2019, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease
(Image: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Theirworld)
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According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are ten early signs of the disease that you should look out for. 1. Challenges in planning or solving problems Some people living with dementia may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. 2. Memory loss that disrupts daily life One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
Fiona was diagnosed aged 61
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game. 4. Confusion with time or place People living with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. 5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving. 6. New problems with words in speaking or writing People living with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have trouble naming a familiar object or use the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”). 7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps A person living with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. He or she may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.
There are 10 early signs to watch out for
8. Decreased or poor judgment Individuals may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean. 9. Withdrawal from work or social activities A person living with Alzheimer’s disease may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, he or she may withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity. 10. Changes in mood and personality Individuals living with Alzheimer’s may experience mood and personality changes. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends or when out of their comfort zone.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnHealth
