Is It a Sign of Alzheimer’s Disease?

If you were asked to describe Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss would probably be the first thing you’d think of. And this is one of the saddest things about the disease – it robs a person of their ability to remember people, places, and events.

But memory loss and being forgetful is just one of the factors involved in Alzheimer’s. There are other disturbing symptoms that can also be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. While you don’t want to be always looking around every corner for supposed symptoms, you do want to develop a healthy awareness of what the signs are so that you can effectively help a family member or friend – or even you yourself -- who might be in the early stages. The earlier Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed, the better the chances the various treatments and medications have to work effectively.

What to watch for

Besides memory loss, there are other common symptoms that most Alzheimer’s sufferers exhibit. The more frequent and the more bizarre the behavior is, the more likely it is to be associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Here is a list of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s:

• Poor judgment: When an otherwise responsible person suddenly begins to act irresponsibly with money – perhaps giving large sums away to questionable sources – it could be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Or perhaps someone who always dressed well begins to dress inappropriately for the weather. Of course, this should be taken into account with several other symptoms.


• Misplaces Things: If you notice someone losing things, and then finding them in totally odd places, this could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, someone might lose their keys and then much later find them at the bottom of their sock drawer.


• Suspicion or Anxiety: If your loved one suddenly exhibits a lot of anxiousness or paranoia, it could be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Or perhaps they become fearful when they used to be confident. Over time, if you notice this increasing, it is definitely something to check out professionally.


• Difficulty with language: If you notice your loved one struggling to come up with the right word on a regular basis, or forgetting what simple, everyday things are called, it could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s. Or maybe they use strange words for familiar objects, making them hard to understand.


• Inability to perform simple tasks: Another sign that is very worrisome is noticing that someone can no longer function well on a daily basis. Maybe they suddenly can’t balance their checkbook, or they can’t put a familiar recipe together.

This is just an overview. If you seriously suspect that a family member could have Alzheimer’s disease, then make sure you contact a medical professional so a proper diagnosis can be made.