The Alzheimer's Association, a national leader in the fight against Alzheimer's, believes that it is critical for people with dementia and their families to receive information, care, and support as early as possible. To help family members and health care professionals recognize warning signs of Alzheimer's disease, the Association has developed a checklist of common symptoms.
Memory loss.
One of the most common early signs of dementia is forgetting recently learned information, such as appointments, names or telephone numbers.
Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
People with dementia often find it hard to complete everyday tasks that are so familiar we do them without thinking.
Problems with language.
A person with Alzheimer's often forgets simple words or substitutes unusual words, making his or her speech hard to understand.
Disorientation to time and place.
People with Alzheimer's may get lost, forgetting where they are, how they got there, or how to get back home.
Poor or decreased judgment.
An individual with Alzheimer's may use poor judgment, spending money on unnecessary items or wearing clothes inappropriate for the weather.
Problems with abstract thinking.
A person with Alzheimer's may have problems with abstract concepts, such as knowing what to do with the numbers in a checkbook.
Misplacing things.
A person with Alzheimer's disease may misplace items, putting things in unusual places and not remembering how they got there.
Changes in mood or behavior.
Someone with Alzheimer's disease can show rapid mood swings - from calm to tears to anger - for no apparent reason.
Changes in personality.
A person with Alzheimer's may experience profound personality changes, becoming very confused, suspicious, or dependent on a family member.
Loss of initiative.
The person with Alzheimer's disease may become very passive, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities.
If you recognize several of these warning signs in yourself or a loved one, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends consulting a physician. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other disorders causing dementia is an important step in getting appropriate treatment, care, and support services.
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