My grandmother has Alzheimer’s disease, my father died of a brain hemorrhage and my mother suffered several mini-strokes at a relatively young age. Brain function, therefore, is a pretty important topic for me. I want to understand what’s normal and what’s cause for concern.
If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s, or have concerns about cognitive functioning, check out the 10 most common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
1. Memory loss
It is normal to occasionally forget names, appointments and where you put your keys. Memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s is more than that, and usually begins with an inability to recall recently-learned information. Someone with Alzheimer’s progressively forgets more things more often, and is unable to recall the information later.
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
All of us, particularly in times of stress or worry, forget why we came into a room or what we were about to say. People with Alzheimer’s, however, find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. They may lose track of the steps to prepare a meal, to place a telephone call or to play a long-enjoyed game.
3. Problems with language
Everybody, at one time or another, is at a loss for words. People suffering from Alzheimer’s forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech and writing hard to understand. They may be unable to find their sweater, for example, and instead ask for “that thing that keeps me warm.”
4. Disorientation to time and place
I often get lost when navigating a new town or following another’s directions. This is not uncommon. People with Alzheimer’s, however, get lost in their own neighborhoods, forget where they are and how they got there, and find themselves unable to get back home.
5. Poor or decreased judgment
People make mistakes. We make choices that turn out to be the wrong ones. For people with with Alzheimer’s, this becomes frequent and differs greatly from their character. One simple example is dressing inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may also show poor judgment in more harmful areas, like giving away large sums of money or inviting strangers into their homes.
6. Problems with abstract thinking
Many of us have difficulty with math and some people struggle with complex reasoning problems. These are simply differences in skills and abilities. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks at which they were previously adept. They may also forget simple things, like what numbers are and how they should be used.
7. Misplacing things
Have you ever lost your keys, or locked them in the car? It happens. It’s a normal part of the human experience. What is not normal is the inability to understanding the appropriate location for things. A person with Alzheimer’s disease will often put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer, jewelry in the sugar bowl, milk in the oven.
8. Changes in mood or behavior
Feeling sad or moody is part of the human experience, but someone with Alzheimer’s disease may show rapid mood swings - from calm to tears to anger - for no apparent reason.
9. Changes in personality
I am grateful that my personality has evolved as I have aged, But the personalities of people with dementia often change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member. In the later stages of Alzheimer’s, anger, frustration and aggression are common.
10. Loss of initiative
Most of us have felt overwhelmed and overextended at one time or another, wishing we could skip certain activities of commitments. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may completely stop participating in the activities they usually enjoy. He may become passive, avoid social contact, sit in front of the TV for hours, and sleep more than usual.
If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s Disease, or if many of these symptoms describe you or someone you love, get more information and support from The Alzheimer’s Association.
My grandmother has Alzheimer’s disease, my father died of a brain hemorrhage and my mother suffered several mini-strokes at a relatively young age. Brain function, therefore, is a pretty important topic for me. I want to understand what’s normal and what’s cause for concern.
If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s, or have concerns about cognitive functioning, check out the 10 most common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
1. Memory loss
It is normal to occasionally forget names, appointments and where you put your keys. Memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s is more than that, and usually begins with an inability to recall recently-learned information. Someone with Alzheimer’s progressively forgets more things more often, and is unable to recall the information later.
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
All of us, particularly in times of stress or worry, forget why we came into a room or what we were about to say. People with Alzheimer’s, however, find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. They may lose track of the steps to prepare a meal, to place a telephone call or to play a long-enjoyed game.
3. Problems with language
Everybody, at one time or another, is at a loss for words. People suffering from Alzheimer’s forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech and writing hard to understand. They may be unable to find their sweater, for example, and instead ask for “that thing that keeps me warm.”
4. Disorientation to time and place
I often get lost when navigating a new town or following another’s directions. This is not uncommon. People with Alzheimer’s, however, get lost in their own neighborhoods, forget where they are and how they got there, and find themselves unable to get back home.
5. Poor or decreased judgment
People make mistakes. We make choices that turn out to be the wrong ones. For people with with Alzheimer’s, this becomes frequent and differs greatly from their character. One simple example is dressing inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may also show poor judgment in more harmful areas, like giving away large sums of money or inviting strangers into their homes.
6. Problems with abstract thinking
Many of us have difficulty with math and some people struggle with complex reasoning problems. These are simply differences in skills and abilities. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks at which they were previously adept. They may also forget simple things, like what numbers are and how they should be used.
7. Misplacing things
Have you ever lost your keys, or locked them in the car? It happens. It’s a normal part of the human experience. What is not normal is the inability to understanding the appropriate location for things. A person with Alzheimer’s disease will often put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer, jewelry in the sugar bowl, milk in the oven.
8. Changes in mood or behavior
Feeling sad or moody is part of the human experience, but someone with Alzheimer’s disease may show rapid mood swings - from calm to tears to anger - for no apparent reason.
9. Changes in personality
I am grateful that my personality has evolved as I have aged, But the personalities of people with dementia often change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member. In the later stages of Alzheimer’s, anger, frustration and aggression are common.
10. Loss of initiative
Most of us have felt overwhelmed and overextended at one time or another, wishing we could skip certain activities of commitments. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may completely stop participating in the activities they usually enjoy. He may become passive, avoid social contact, sit in front of the TV for hours, and sleep more than usual.
If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s Disease, or if many of these symptoms describe you or someone you love, get more information and support from The Alzheimer’s Association.