The Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's is one disease within a spectrum of diseases known as dementia.i About 64

percent of all dementia patients have Alzheimer's, and almost five and a half million

people in the U.S. live with some stage of Alzheimer's disease. Though there isn't yet a

cure for this disease, there are treatments, therapies, and Alzheimer's care available for

patients and their families. Here is your guide to recognizing the early warning signs, and

what to do if you see these in yourself or someone you love.

The Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's

The Alzheimer's Association recommends using these ten guidelines to help identify the

disease in its earliest stages.ii

1. One of the first noticeable signs is losing memory badly enough to majorly affect a

person's daily life. Patients might forget an important event or fail to remember their

address or phone number. They might start using memory joggers like notes or calendars,

to avoid having to ask the same questions again and again.

2. Alzheimer's patients begin to have trouble making plans and solving basic problems.

Simple calculations become difficult, and they might forget to pay their bills or even their

taxes. They also have trouble concentrating on tasks.

3. Patients begin having trouble doing things that were once familiar to them, such as

driving, budgeting their finances, or remembering how to do their favorite activities.

4. Alzheimer's causes confusion about where the person is or even what day it is.

5. Patients begin having trouble with visual images and spatial recognition. This leads to

difficulty driving, as it's hard to judge distances. They might also have a hard time

reading or recognizing color and contrasts.

6. Alzheimer's patients begin to misplace things, and often leave things in strange places.

They have difficulty retracing their steps to find lost items.

7. Another symptom is a lack of good judgment. They begin making bad money

decisions and often allow their personal hygiene to deteriorate.

8. Symptoms also include withdrawing from social situations and avoiding people or

hobbies they once enjoyed. As it becomes harder to remember how to do things, the

person might isolate themselves to hide symptoms.

9. Patients begin having problems with speaking or writing. It's sometimes hard for them

to follow conversations; they can't recall the words they want to say, or they stop in the

middle of a conversation, unable to continue.

10. Alzheimer's also causes changes in a person's personality, and frequently leads to

drastic mood swings. Patients become confused, begin to suspect people of stealing

things from them or talking behind their back, struggle with depression, or become

fearful and anxious. They may become particularly upset when outside their comfort

zone.

Comparing the Warning Signs to Normal Age-Related Behavior

Memory loss or occasional difficulties do not in themselves mean that a person has the

disease or needs Alzheimer's care. Some mental and physical deterioration is,

unfortunately, just one of the signs that a person is getting older. Perfectly normal

behavior for aging adults includes:

Sometimes forgetting an appointment or what day it is, but recalling it later

An occasional mistake when adding or subtracting

Sometimes needing help with machines and electronics, especially new or

unfamiliar ones

Loss of vision due to cataracts

Fumbling over the right word every now and then

Occasionally losing something, but being able to retrace their steps to find it

Sometimes making an error in judgment, such as sending an excessive amount to

a grandchild on his birthday

Getting too tired to do things they used to enjoy

Getting set in their ways and not wanting to change their daily routine

What to Do if You or a Loved One Might Have Alzheimer's

First, schedule an appointment with the person's doctor. They shouldn't go to the

appointment alone for two reasons. One, they likely don't want to admit to themselves or

anyone else that they might have Alzheimer's. Two, they need someone with them to help

explain what they can't remember, such as when the issues started, what symptoms have

shown themselves, what medications they are taking, and their general lifestyle and

habits.

The doctor will perform a series of tests, including a mental status test, some neurological

examinations, and some imaging tests.iii

None of the tests are painful, but the process can

be scary if the patient has to go through it alone.

Most families find that after a certain stage of progression, they need help caring for their

beloved Alzheimer's patient. As the person begins to become more forgetful and their

mood deteriorates, it's impossible to leave them alone in order to work, shop, and even

care for the yard or other family members. Families have a variety of options for finding

Alzheimer's care when the time comes. No family has to face this situation alone.

i http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-

disease/basics/definition/con-20023871 ii http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp

iii

http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/early-warning-signs-when-to-call-the-doctor-

about-alzheimers

Company Bio

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