The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can reduce some symptoms and enable people to maintain their cognitive functions for as long as possible.
Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms. If you notice any of them, do not ignore them, there is help!
1 - Memory loss that disrupts daily life
What's a typical age-related change?
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later.
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later.
- forgetting recently learned information
- forgetting important dates or events
- asking the same questions over and over
3 - Difficulty completing familiar tasks
What's a typical age-related change?
Occasionally needing help to use microwave settings or to record a TV show.
Occasionally needing help to use microwave settings or to record a TV show.
- hard to complete daily tasks
- trouble with a grocery list
- trouble driving to a familiar location
5 - Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
What's a typical age-related change?
Vision changes related to cataracts.
Vision changes related to cataracts.
- vision problems, this may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading
- problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving
7 - Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
What's a typical age-related change?
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
- may put things in unusual places
- may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses
- may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again
9 - Withdrawal from work or social activities
What's a typical age-related change?
Sometimes feeling uninterested in family or social obligations.
Sometimes feeling uninterested in family or social obligations.
- changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation and may withdraw from hobbies, social activities, or other engagements
- have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity
2 - Challenges in planning or solving problems
What's a typical age-related change?
Making occasional errors when managing finances or household bills.
Making occasional errors when managing finances or household bills.
- trouble following a familiar recipe
- changes in the ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers
- difficulty concentrating and taking much longer to do things
4 - Confusion with time or place
What's a typical age-related change?
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
- lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time.
- forget where they are or how they got there.
- trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately
6 - New problems with words in speaking or writing
What's a typical age-related change?
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
- may repeat themselves
- struggles with vocabulary
- trouble following or joining a conversation
8 - Decreased or poor judgment
What's a typical age-related change?
Making a bad decision or mistake once in a while, like neglecting to change the oil in the car.
Making a bad decision or mistake once in a while, like neglecting to change the oil in the car.
- experience changes in judgment or decision-making
- use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean
10 - Changes in mood and personality
What's a typical age-related change?
Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
- experience mood and personality changes
- become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious
- easily upset at home, with friends or when out of their comfort zone
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, do not hesitate!
Please schedule an appointment to share your concerns with your physician. For more information on Alzheimer’s disease warning signs and what to do if you notice any of these sign visit the following: