Forgetting things? Could it be Alzheimer’s?
10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting something a person just heard. There are other indicators as well, they can include forgetting important dates, asking the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids like sticky notes or other reminders placed all over. Sometimes you or other family members become their reminders for things they used to handle on their own.
So you wonder what are typical age-related changes? One is htat
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people living with dementia may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What's a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when managing finances or household bills.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game. Tasks that require several steps become confusing and they are unable to complete.
What's a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use a microwave or how to use the TV remote.
4. Confusion with time or place
People living with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there, they become lost in time and space.
What's a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
Alzheimer's can also lead to vision problems which can lead to issues with balance and reading. They may have issues Judging distance and determining color or contrast, which can cause problems with driving.
What's a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
People living with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation. They may repeat themselves after a few minutes. They may struggle with vocabulary, have trouble naming a familiar object. It is common to lose Nouns (names of items) in Alzheimer’s.
What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person living with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and place them in odd places. They may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.
What's a typical age-related change? Misplacing things from time to time and being able to retrace steps to find the item.
8. Decreased or poor judgment
Individuals may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What's a typical age-related change? Once in a while making a mistake, like neglecting to change the oil in the car.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
A person living with Alzheimer’s disease may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. They have trouble following a conversation or train of thought. As a result, he or she may withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements.
What's a typical age-related change? When you sometimes feel uninterested in family or social obligation.
10. Changes in mood and personality
Individuals living with Alzheimer’s may experience mood and personality changes. They may have lost some brain functions but they maintain their “feelings”. They have emotions. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset when out of their comfort zone or even with family and friends.
What's a typical age-related change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
