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Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time. Alzheimer’s accounts for 60% to 80% of dementia cases.
1 Memory loss that disrupts daily
life. Especially in the early stages, common signs include forgetting recently learned information, forgetting important dates or events, asking for the same information over and over, and/or relying heavily on family members or memory aids.
2 Challenges in planning, problem-
solving and concentration. Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. Following familiar recipes, keeping track of monthly bills, and maintaining concentration may become difficult.
3 Difficulty completing familiar
tasks. Having trouble driving to a familiar location or remembering the rules of a favorite game are both common red flags.
4 Confusion about time or place.
Alzheimer’s can cause people to lose track of dates, seasons, and passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately, and they may forget where they are or how they got there.
5 Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
For some, visual comprehension issues may develop. They may begin to have difficulty judging distance or direction when driving, catching a ball, or even picking something up. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and not recognize their own image, thinking it is someone else.
6 New problems with words in
speaking or writing. People with Alzheimer’s disease 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 problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand clock”).
7 Misplacing things and losing the
ability to retrace steps. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places or lose things and be unable to retrace their steps to find them. They may even accuse others of stealing.
8 Decreased or poor judgment.
People with Alzheimer’s disease may experience changes in judgment or the ability to make decisions. They may use poor judgment when dealing with finances such as giving large amounts of money to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to bathing or grooming.
9 Withdrawal from work or social
activities. Someone who has Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects, or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
10 Changes in mood and personality.
People with Alzheimer’s disease may become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They may become easily upset.
Adapted from: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease © 2015 Alzheimer’s Association
