by Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
Worldwide, 55 million people live with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that affects a person’s memory, thinking and behavior. While most of us experience some memory hiccups as we get older, dementia and Alzheimer’s are not a normal part of aging. While most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are age 65 and older, symptoms can affect younger people, too.
Alzheimer’s is called a progressive disease, meaning it worsens over time. While Alzheimer’s can be different for each person, it typically begins in the part of the brain that impacts learning. In the early stages, people experience mild memory loss. As the disease progresses, people may get confused, have severe mood swings, act differently and even have trouble carrying on a conversation.
Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s has no cure, but researchers have made progress in testing treatments and ways to manage symptoms, especially when diagnosed early. Here are ten warning signs and symptoms that indicate you or a loved one should talk with a doctor.
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life – Forgetting important dates, asking the same questions or needing memory aids such as notes
- Challenges in planning or solving problems – Having trouble following a family recipe or keeping track of monthly bills
- Problems with regular tasks – Issues driving to a known location or recalling rules of a favorite game
- Confusion with time or place – Losing track of dates, seasons, or passage of time
- Trouble understanding visual images – Having vision problems such as being able to judge distance or recognizing colors
- New problems with words – Having trouble tracking a conversation, repeating themselves or coming up with words or using the wrong words for things
- Losing things – Putting objects in strange places or even blaming those around them of stealing something they lost
- Poor judgement – Having trouble with decision-making, making poor choices with money or paying less attention to personal hygiene
- Withdrawal – No longer enjoying or participating in hobbies or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality – Feeling confused, anxious or scared or doubting themselves or those around them
Catching these signs early is an important first step to exploring possible treatments and learning how to manage symptoms. For more information and to learn what to do if you recognize these signs, check out this “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s” worksheet from the Alzheimer’s Association.
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