Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

There are many reasons our memory could fail us at times. A stressful lifestyle, sleep deprivation, distraction, or lack of proper nutrition could cause moments of forgetfulness. However, there comes a point where normal forgetting becomes more serious. June is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and we would like to talk about the early signs of Alzheimer’s. By understanding these initial hints, we can all be more supportive and attentive to those who might be experiencing the beginning stages.

What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease in the brain that is caused by cell death.  Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia, and therefore includes dementia symptoms such as a decline in memory, reasoning, and other cognitive skills. Alzheimer’s accounts for 60-80% cases of dementia. As the disease progresses, the severity of symptoms increases, and it can become difficult to speak, swallow, and walk, with increased confusion, disorientation, and other behavioral changes.

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Changes in Planning or Problem-Solving

People with Alzheimer’s may have difficulty creating and following a plan or working with numbers. For example, it would become more difficult to follow a recipe or manage bills.

Memory Loss That Impacts Daily Life

It is common to forget information learned recently, such as conversations, events, significant dates, and other details. People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s might ask the same question repeatedly, as well as start to rely on memory aids like physical or electronic reminders.

Struggling with Familiar Tasks

Alzheimer’s makes it difficult to complete familiar, routine tasks, such as driving to your local grocery store or finding a TV show on a streaming platform.

Confusion Regarding Time and Place

People with Alzheimer’s often struggle to understand events outside the present moment, which can lead to forgetting seasons, dates, and the passage of time. It is common for them to arrive at a location and forget where they are or how they arrived.

Difficulty with Visual-Spatial Judgment

Alzheimer’s can cause vision decline and issues with balance and reading. This can also affect judgment of distance, color, and contrast, which can impact the ability to operate a vehicle.

Issues with Speaking and Writing

People with Alzheimer’s can have difficulty following along or joining a conversation. It is common for them to stop talking midway through a thought and not know how to continue. They can also struggle to find the right vocabulary and end up using unusual substitutes, such as calling a car a “mini bus.”

Misplacing Things and an Inability to Backtrack

Someone with Alzheimer’s can put things in unusual places, such as placing their watch in the freezer. They can misplace things and be unable to retrace their steps to find them again.

Impaired Judgement

Alzheimer’s can cause a change in judgment and decision-making. An example of this is wearing a tank top and shorts on a cold day or giving large amounts of money to an online scam.

Changes in Mood and Personality

People with Alzheimer’s often experience heightened depressive and anxious feelings, along with increased fear, confusion, and suspicion. They tend to become more easily upset, especially when they are outside their comfort zone.

Becoming Less Social

Since it is difficult to engage in conversation, people with Alzheimer’s may withdraw from hobbies, social activities, work, or other responsibilities.

When to seek help 

If you see any of these warning signs in yourself or someone you know, don’t ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your physician.  Early detection and diagnosis are very important in getting the right treatment and support services. With early detection, it is possible to experience some relief from symptoms and retain a degree of independence for a longer period.

Summary