Understanding the Symptoms
Recognizing the early warning signs of Alzheimer's is crucial for early intervention.
Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. It may be a symptom of Alzheimer's, a fatal brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.
10 Early Warning Signs
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life: Forgetting recently learned information, important dates, or events.
- Challenges in planning or solving problems: Difficulty keeping track of monthly bills or following a familiar recipe.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks: Trouble driving to a familiar location or organizing a grocery list.
- Confusion with time or place: Losing track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time.
- Trouble understanding visual images: Difficulty reading, judging distance, and determining color or contrast.
- New problems with words in speaking or writing: Stopping in the middle of a conversation and having no idea how to continue.
- Misplacing things: Putting things in unusual places and being unable to retrace steps to find them again.
- Decreased or poor judgment: Paying less attention to grooming or giving large amounts of money to telemarketers.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities: Avoiding being social because of the changes experienced.
- Changes in mood and personality: Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious.
The 3 Stages of Alzheimer's
1. Early Stage
A person may function independently. They may still drive, work, and be part of social activities. However, they may feel as if they are having memory lapses.
2. Middle Stage
This is typically the longest stage. Symptoms will be more pronounced. A person may confuse words, get frustrated or angry, or act in unexpected ways.
3. Late Stage
In the final stage of the disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement.