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10 Signs of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease: what is
and what isn’t? It’s sometimes difficult to tell.
Dementia is the umbrella term
for the variety of conditions that can cause the brain to fail. One of those is
Alzheimer’s disease, which represents the majority of cases, noted Dr. Jane F.
Potter, chief of the Division of
Geriatrics
and Gerontology
at the University of Nebraska
Medical Center.
“It’s safe to say that the
thing that Alzheimer’s and other dementias have in common is a high risk of
behavioral disorders – change in personality, people behaving in ways counter
to their prior personality,’’ Dr. Potter said. “Normal old age does not cause
memory loss. It’s not normal when people can’t take care of daily business,
such as paying bills and writing checks.”
According to the Alzheimer’s
Association, following are 10 warning signs* of Alzheimer’s compared with what
are typical age-related changes:
Memory loss that disrupts daily life: One of the most common
signs is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned
information. Typical age-related change? Sometimes
forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later
Challenges
in planning or solving problems:
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan
or work with numbers. Typical? Making occasional errors when balancing
a checkbook.
Difficulty
completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure: People sometimes may have trouble driving to a familiar
location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite
game. Typical? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a
microwave or to record a television show.
Confusion
with time or place: Losing track of dates, seasons and
the passage of time. Typical? Getting confused about the day of the
week, but figuring it out later.
Trouble
understanding visual images and spatial relationships: For some people, having vision problems is a sign. They may
not realize they are the person in the mirror, for instance. Typical? Vision
changes related to cataracts.
New
problems with words in speaking or writing:
There is trouble following or joining a conversation. Typical? Sometimes
having trouble finding the right word.
Misplacing
things and losing the ability to retrace steps: Placing things in unusual places. Sometimes they may accuse
others of stealing. Typical? Misplacing things from time to time, such
as a pair of glasses.
Decreased
or poor judgment: Experiencing changes in judgment or
decision-making. Typical? Making a bad decision once in a while.
Withdrawal
from work or social activities:
Some may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work
projects or sports. Typical? Sometimes
feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.
Changes in
mood and personality: Some can become confused,
suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at
work or with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort
zone. Typical? Developing specific ways of doing things and
becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
The Home Instead
Senior Care® network is a corporate member of the Alzheimer’s
Association Alzheimer’s Early Detection Alliance, whose goal is to educate
about the warning signs of Alzheimer's, the importance of early detection and
the resources available to help them.
