Monday marks World Alzheimer’s Day, a global effort focused on raising awareness and challenging the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. More than 55 million people are affected by the disease.

Wanda Wooten of Right at Home in Northeast Portland joined ARC PDX to discuss signs that may signal Alzheimer’s. She also addressed conversations about memory loss and practical ways families can make a home safer.

The warning signs discussed go beyond the occasional moments of forgetfulness that many people experience. A key distinction is whether memory lapses begin disrupting daily life and interfering with familiar responsibilities or routines.

Repeatedly missing bills is one example raised during the interview. While a single oversight may happen, a recurring pattern that affects a person’s ability to manage ordinary obligations may warrant attention from family members.

Completely forgetting recent conversations was another example. The concern is not simply struggling to recall a minor detail, but losing the memory of a conversation that recently took place.

Becoming lost while driving a familiar route can also be a warning sign. The example highlights a change involving an activity and location that the person previously knew well.

Difficulty finding words may offer another clue, particularly when it moves beyond an occasional “tip of the tongue” moment. Wooten’s discussion distinguished persistent trouble with words from the brief lapses that can occur in ordinary conversation.

Together, these examples focus on noticeable changes that disrupt daily activities. They include problems involving memory, communication, financial responsibilities and navigation along routes that should be familiar.

Wooten also discussed how relatives can approach difficult conversations when they become concerned about someone they love. Her advice focused on using specific observations rather than confronting the person with a broad accusation about becoming forgetful.

For example, a family member could point out that the person missed a doctor’s appointment. That approach identifies a particular event instead of making a sweeping statement about the person’s memory or abilities.

The distinction matters to the conversation Wooten described. Rather than beginning with a general judgment, families can focus on something concrete that they personally noticed, such as the missed appointment.

The interview also addressed steps families can take to reduce hazards inside the home. These changes are simple and concentrate on common areas where a person could lose balance or encounter a preventable obstacle.

One recommendation is to remove throw rugs. Families who keep the rugs can secure them with backing designed to prevent slipping, reducing the chance that the rugs will move underfoot.

Another recommendation is to install grab bars in bathrooms and other areas. These additions give a person something stable to hold while moving through spaces where extra support may be useful.

The safety measures discussed do not require families to overhaul the entire home. Instead, the interview highlighted targeted changes involving unsecured rugs and the availability of sturdy support in bathrooms and other locations.

Wooten closed with a message centered on affection and appreciating time with family members affected by Alzheimer’s. When asked what single message she would leave with those families, she said, "just love them for every day that they’re here.”

World Alzheimer’s Day places those concerns within a global awareness effort. The interview’s practical focus remained on recognizing disruptive changes, speaking about concerns through specific examples and addressing straightforward hazards within the home.

For families, the warning signs described are concrete: repeatedly missed bills, forgotten recent conversations, confusion on familiar driving routes and difficulty finding words. The home recommendations are similarly direct, beginning with safer rugs and grab bars where support is needed.