How to Recognize the Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

How do you know if what you are observing in one of your family members are the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease or simply normal signs of aging? It’s helpful to be aware that there are common symptoms that, when taken together, can point to Alzheimer’s and would indicate that it’s time to pay a visit to the doctor. While there are many still unanswered questions about Alzheimer’s, medical professionals agree that catching the disease in its early stages is much more beneficial to all involved. So the more education you can get on what those early signs of Alzheimer’s are, the more better you’ll be able to help your loved one.

And yet, it’s very challenging to make an accurate diagnosis in the early stages of the disease. Family members play a key role here, because they are able to recognize behavior or something that is out of the ordinary for their loved one.

Early signs of Alzheimer’s are more than just noticing an increasing forgetfulness in someone. It involves problem solving. In other words, someone might misplace a treasured piece of jewelry – normal for all of us. Someone with early signs of Alzheimer's, however, might not be able to use their problem-solving ability to find a solution to this dilemma. They might even become paranoid and insist that someone has stolen their item.

Ten Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

The Alzheimer’s Association says that there are ten early warning signs of Alzheimer’s that you should watch for:

1. Memory loss


2. Inability or increasing difficulty in performing familiar tasks


3. Language problems


4. Becoming disoriented about the time or whereabouts


5. Difficulty with abstract thinking


6. Losing items


7. Behavioral changes or mood swings


8. Personality changes


9. Loss of initiative


10. Poor judgment

When to visit the doctor

There’s a lot of fear associated with Alzheimer’s disease. People don’t want to admit that they or someone they love might not be acting normal. Acknowledging that there’s a problem makes them feel like they are losing control. If they admit they are suspecting Alzheimer’s, they are afraid of a loss of independence.

Alzheimer’s progresses in different stages: it begins with a loss of cognitive functioning, proceeds to an impaired ability to function, and finally affects a person’s behavior. Many people aren’t diagnosed until the second stage, when things are already noticeably amiss. And sometimes even family physicians hesitate to make an early diagnosis.

However, knowing that an early diagnosis can mean a much better quality of life should the early warning signs truly be associated with Alzheimer’s disease, visiting the doctor sooner rather than later is recommended. This way both the patient and their family members can make a more capable decision about how to proceed with the rest of their lives. Having a plan to deal with the early signs of Alzheimer’s will help ensure a better transition as the disease progresses.