If you or your loved one experience any of the following, schedule an appointment to talk with your doctor.
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
- Anyone forgets names or appointments but remembers them later. Someone with Alzheimer’s forgets important dates or events, asks for the same information again and again, and has difficulty remembering recently learned information.
- Difficulty solving problems or planning. Anyone makes an error now and then balancing a checkbook.
- Someone with Alzheimer’s has trouble following a familiar recipe or paying bills.
- Confusion of time or place. Anyone might forget what day of the week it is but be able to figure it out later. People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of seasons or the passing of time, where they are or how they arrived.
- Difficulty with spatial cues and visual images. Anyone might have reduced vision due to cataracts or macular degeneration. Someone with Alzheimer’s has vision problems leading to issues reading, judging distance and seeing color contrast, which might lead to difficulty driving.
- Problems with written or spoken words. Anyone can struggle to find the right word now and then. Someone with Alzheimer’s struggles with vocabulary, and has trouble following or joining a conversation, repeating what was just said or failing to continue the thread.
- Misplacing objects. Anyone can forget where they put something and have to retrace steps to find it. People with Alzheimer’s put things in unusual places, like leaving car keys in the freezer. They may be unable to retrace their steps to relocate an object, or accuse others of stealing it. This behavior typically accelerates over time.
- Poor judgment. Anyone can make a crummy decision occasionally. People with Alzheimer’s may use poor judgment with money, giving large sums to people they meet over the phone. They may quit taking care of their appearance and cleanliness.
- Withdrawing from work or social occasions. Anyone may feel like being alone sometimes. Someone with Alzheimer’s might quit hobbies, social outings, sports or work activities. This could be because they’ve forgotten how to complete the hobby or because of other changes from the disease.
- Mood and personality changes. Anyone can get in a pattern and feel irritated when it is disrupted. People with Alzheimer’s can easily be upset at home or work, especially in situations where they don’t feel comfortable. They can become confused, suspicious, fearful, anxious or depressed.
Sources
“10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s,” Alzheimer’s Association.
“Dementia – early signs,” Department of Health & Human Services, State Government of Victoria, Australia.
