Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease Write with Tremors, Making Their Handwriting Difficult to Read, Often Containing Spelling and Grammar Errors.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a neurological condition that currently has no cure. However, there are some treatment methods that can slow the progression of the disease.
To implement these treatment methods, it is crucial for individuals to recognize the symptoms early and seek a diagnosis. One of the signs may manifest through their signature, writing dates, or taking notes…
Alzheimer’s disease affects how patients think, feel, and behave. (Illustrative image: Indianapublicmedia)
According to research published in the Wiley Online Library, handwriting can indicate the presence of Alzheimer’s disease. The authors explain: “Changes in handwriting are one of the first signs. The handwriting becomes shaky as the writer loses muscle control, leading to confusion and forgetfulness.”
“Symptoms worsen over time. Handwriting becomes difficult to read, and spelling and grammatical errors become unavoidable.”
As reported by Express, the reason for these spelling mistakes is not due to the patient’s inability to control their muscles but rather due to neurological control issues. Alzheimer’s disease affects not only a person’s physical movements but also how they think, feel, and behave.
What makes dementia frightening is its gradual progression, not immediate, creating a long process that leads the patient to drift away from reality. This is one of the motivations driving research into this disease and the search for treatment methods.
Although handwriting changes can indicate the presence of Alzheimer’s disease, it is not one of the officially recognized early symptoms of this condition.
The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK has listed the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease:
- Forgetting recent conversations or events
- Misplacing items
- Forgetting names of places and objects
- Struggling to find the right words
- Asking the same questions repeatedly
- Poor judgment or hesitance in making decisions
- Inflexibility and reluctance to try new things
- Changes in mood, such as anxiety or confusion
While Alzheimer’s disease is a daunting condition, there are many ways individuals can reduce their risk or delay its onset.
- Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Maintain a healthy and balanced diet
- Exercise for at least 150 minutes a week
- Control blood pressure
Additionally, psychological activities may also help prevent the disease. The NHS advises: “There is some evidence that individuals who engage in mental and social activities have a lower rate of dementia. You can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory decline by reading, learning a new language, playing a musical instrument, participating in community activities, playing team sports, adding new hobbies, and maintaining an active social life.”
