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You are here: Home / Common Questions / What are the Signs and Symptoms / 10 Warning Signs of Memory-Loss that Disrupt Daily Life

10 Warning Signs of Memory-Loss that Disrupt Daily Life

09/235 Comments

10-Ways-to-ActionTo encourage early detection and diagnosis, the Alzheimer’s Association Website has listed 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s.

This is not the list of 7 Stages of Alzheimer’s but rather a list of “warning signs” that you may be vulnerable to Alzheimer’s and should visit your physician and make him aware of your symptoms of memory-loss.

This list of 10 Warning Signs is taken directly from the Alzheimer’s Association Website which states– Alzheimer’s Association

“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. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.”

Ten Warning Signs

  • 1. Memory loss that disrupts family life

One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

  • 2. Challenges in planning or problem solving

Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

What’s a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

  • 3. difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure

People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

What’s a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show

  • 4. Confusion with time or place

People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

What’s a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

  • 5. Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships

For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.

What’s a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.

  • 6. New problems with words in speaking or writing

People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”).

What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

  • 7. misplacing things and losing ability to retrace steps

A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.

What’s a typical age-related change? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

  • 8.  Decreased or poor judgment

People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

What’s a typical age-related change? Making a bad decision once in a while.

  • 9.  Withdrawal from work or social activities

A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

  • 10. Changes in Mood or Personality

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

What’s a typical age-related change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment with your family physician and let him know of your symptoms. There are medications to delay symptoms of Alzheimer’s if diagnosed early.

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Filed Under: What are the Signs and Symptoms Tagged With: Alzheimer's behaviors, diagnose alzheimer's early, early diagnosis, early signs, early symptoms, how to know, warning signs

Comments

  1. Yvonne Haywood says

    03/30 at 8:52 am

    Well I seem confused most of the time,do accuse hubby of stealing my things,forget days even my grandchildren’s names at times.Do have loads of depression.x

    Reply
    • Sandysgingham says

      04/07 at 1:24 pm

      Don’t feel bad about it Yvonne. I do as well. It’s part of the disease. All we can do is the best we can do. I hope your children are as forgiving as mine when I ask the same question 400 times. You know, when I think about it, that would upset me as well.

      I’ll be thinking about you,
      Sandy

  2. Lynne Raven says

    07/11 at 2:32 pm

    ..Except for the mirror thing, Alzheimer’s warning signs are basically the same as indications for ADD! If this is true, I’ve had Alzheimer’s since age five, or possibly since birth! How will anyone know that I’m demented if my behavior at age 73 is the same as its always been! There are consolations….not paying bills or doing paperwork can bite you in the, well, behind, at age 30, but at this late date, I could be long gone before collection agencies transfer me to yet another supervisor!

    Just today, peering into the fridge, I resorted to asking my dog the point of my mission. Oh yeah, ice for a soda, tequila etc.. Why in the world do you think this varies one iota from college years?
    Life with ADD has enormous challenges; many benefits. Maybe not feeling Alzheimer’s, if the time comes, (God forbid) is one of them!

    Reply
    • by Sandy Spencer says

      07/12 at 6:24 am

      No matter what– you’ve kept a sense of humor and sometimes, I think that’s everything.

      ~Sandy

    • by Sandy Spencer says

      07/16 at 6:19 am

      An interesting analogy for sure– Many things can cause dementia.

      But Alzheimer’s dementia doesn’t usually show symptoms till much later in life, unless EOAD (Early Onset) which may begin in late 30’s.
      ~Sandy

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