Early Signs of Alzheimer’s: What to Watch For

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, a good time to learn the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Everyone forgets a name or misplaces keys now and then. The changes below are different: they are new, they keep happening and they start to get in the way of daily life.

Common early signs

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life, especially forgetting recently learned information, or asking the same question over and over.
• Trouble planning or solving problems, such as difficulty following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills.
• Difficulty with familiar tasks, like driving to a well-known place or remembering the rules of a favorite card game.
• Confusion about time or place, such as losing track of dates or forgetting how they got somewhere.
• Trouble with vision and space, including judging distance or reading.
• Problems finding words or following a conversation.
• Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps, sometimes accusing others of taking them.
• Poor judgment, such as giving large sums of money to telemarketers or neglecting grooming.
• Withdrawing from hobbies and social activities.
• Changes in mood or personality, such as becoming confused, suspicious, anxious or easily upset.

What isn’t necessarily Alzheimer’s

Memory problems can also be caused by treatable conditions, including vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid problems, medication side effects, depression, sleep problems and urinary tract infections. That’s one of the best reasons to see a doctor rather than wait.

Why an early diagnosis helps

• It rules out other, treatable causes.
• It gives access to newer treatments, which are approved for the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
• It allows time to make legal, financial and care plans while your loved one can still take part in decisions.
• It opens the door to support groups, education and clinical trials.

What to do next

Start with a primary care doctor, and bring a written list of the changes you have noticed and when they began. The doctor may refer you to a neurologist, geriatrician or neuropsychologist for more testing. If you can, go to the appointment together.

Have questions about memory care for someone you love? Call Generations Senior Living at (352) 474-2696 or schedule a tour of one of our three homes near The Villages.