Alzheimer's - What you should know...

One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information.  For example: asking for the same information over and over.  Relying on memory aides (reminder notes). 

Typical age-related changes:  Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

Some people may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.  Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers.  Some people may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills.

Typical age-related changes:  Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks such as:  driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work, or remembering the rules of a favorite game.   

Typical age-related changes:  Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or record a television show.

People 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.  

Typical age-related changes:  Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

Some people may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast.  In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room.  They may not realize they are the person in the mirror. 

Typical age-related changes:  Vision changes related to cataracts. 

People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation.  They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves.  They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name.

Typical age-related changes:  Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places.  They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again.  Sometimes they may accuse others of stealing.  This may occur more frequently over time.

Typical age-related changes:  Misplacing things from time to time.

People with Alzheimer's may demonstrate unusual changes in judgement or decision making.  For example:  they may use poor judgement when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers.  They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

Typical age-related changes:  Making a bad decision once in a while. 

A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports.  They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

Typical age-related changes:  Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change.  They may be easily upset in places where they are out of their comfort zone. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious.

Typical age-related changes:  Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.