Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills.
The Alzheimer’s Association has outlined 10 warning signs and symptoms to detect early Alzheimer’s disease. It may be hard to know the difference between age-related changes and the first signs of Alzheimer’s , but memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. If you notice any of them, please see a medical professional.
Warning Sign #1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
Warning Sign #2. Challenges in planning or solving problems.
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
Warning Sign #3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
Warning Sign #4. Confusion with time or place.
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.
Warning Sign #5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They 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 recognize their own reflection.
Warning Sign #6. New problems with words in speaking or writing.
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 (e.g., calling a watch a “hand clock”).
Warning Sign #7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
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.
Warning Sign #8. Decreased or poor judgment.
People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
Warning Sign #9. Withdrawal from work or social activities.
A person with Alzheimer’s is likely to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects, or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
Warning Sign #10. Changes in mood and personality.
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
Although the onset of Alzheimer’s disease cannot yet be stopped or reversed, an early diagnosis allows people with dementia a better chance of benefiting from treatment. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, please see a medical professional. You can contact us at 662-282-4226.
This information was originally posted here:
http://www.alz.org/national/documents/checklist_10signs.pdf
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_diagnosis.asp
http://www.alz.org/national/documents/tenwarnsigns.pdf
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