Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

Recognizing the early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can be difficult. Given the prevalence of dementia among older adults, it’s easy to assume that all seniors who experience cognitive decline have Alzheimer’s.

Subtle, progressive cognitive changes, such as mild forgetfulness, word-finding, slowed thinking, and difficulty with short-term recall are all a part of the normal aging process. These changes are caused by age-related reductions in the size of certain areas of the brain, but when these changes happen quickly, or in conjunction with other issues, it could be time to consult with a medical professional. Only a licensed medical doctor can make a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, so if you have concerns about a family member’s health, start by seeking assistance from their physician.

The prevalence, duration, frequency and severity of dementia symptoms vary between patients, but here are some of the most common early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease:

Memory Lapses

One of the first symptoms experienced by many people with Alzheimer’s is forgetfulness or memory loss that interferes with day-to-day functioning. This can mean forgetting important dates, such as medical appointments, or struggling to remember the names of familiar people. Issues with memory can also present as your loved one asking the same question over and over or becoming completely reliant on memory aids, such as alarms and reminder notes, for everyday tasks.

Confusion Over Words

People who have Alzheimer’s disease often struggle to find the right words when speaking or writing, a condition known as word-searching or word-finding. You may notice that your loved one suddenly stops talking mid-sentence or isn’t as chatty as they once were. They may also misname common objects or have difficulty remembering what everyday objects are called.

Marked Changes in Mood or Personality

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, affected individuals are often acutely aware that they are experiencing significant changes in the way their brain works. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, frustration, anger, and depression, and those feelings can manifest as significant personality and mood changes. Your loved one may suddenly seem to be withdrawn, short-tempered, and/or have little interest in things they previously enjoyed, such as social activities, sports, and hobbies.

Trouble With Abstract Thinking

Individuals who have Alzheimer’s disease often have trouble dealing with complex information and solving problems. This can mean that someone who was previously able to troubleshoot mechanical issues with an automobile is no longer able to do so or that a person who always did the bookkeeping for their small business now has difficulty balancing a checkbook. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, individuals often conceal their struggles with abstract thinking by coming up with excuses for why they can no longer deal with complex information or solve multistep problems.

Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks

While many of the other early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are often dismissed as being a part of normal aging, once an individual begins to have difficulty completing familiar tasks, there’s no denying the need for an accurate medical diagnosis. When your loved one has this symptom, you may notice that they have trouble preparing a simple meal, forget how to play a favorite card game, or are unable to finish a hobby project.

Disorientation

Another common early sign of Alzheimer’s disease is disorientation. You might have noticed that your loved one is having a hard time remembering how to get to familiar places, such as their church or neighborhood grocery store. They might not remember how they arrived at a particular destination, forget where they parked their car or have a hard time remembering what day it is.

Misplacing Items

Although it’s not unusual to occasionally misplace your car keys or lose the remote control for your television, when these types of things happen on a frequent basis, it could be a sign of a serious problem. Individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s may put items in unusual places, such as placing their purse in the freezer or storing vegetables in their bedroom closet. They may also begin to think that someone is stealing from them because they can’t remember where they left their belongings.

Impaired Judgement

Dementia makes it hard for individuals to make sound, healthy choices, and that can lead to odd behavior, such as dressing inappropriately for the weather, neglecting to brush their teeth and take showers or baths or giving money away to people or charities that they wouldn’t have normally supported. This makes those living with memory loss especially vulnerable to financial fraud, as their judgment of people, situations and risks is often impaired.

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