01/Apr/2010
Some
change in memory is normal as we grow older, but the symptoms of Alzheimer's
disease are more than simple lapses in memory.
People
with Alzheimer's experience difficulties communicating, learning, thinking and
reasoning.
These problems are severe
enough to have an impact on an individual's work, social activities and family
life.
The
Alzheimer's Association believes that it is critical for people with dementia
and their families to receive information, care and support as early as
possible. To help family members and health care professionals recognize the
warning signs of Alzheimer's disease, the Association has developed a checklist
of common symptoms.
1. Memory loss.
One of
the most common early signs of dementia is forgetting recently learned
information. While it is normal to sometimes forget appointments, names or
telephone numbers, those with dementia will forget such things more often and
not remember them later.
2. Difficulty
performing familiar tasks
. People with
dementia often find it hard to complete everyday tasks that are so familiar we
usually do not think about how to do them. A person with Alzheimer's may not
know the steps for preparing a meal, using a household appliance or
participating in a lifelong hobby.
3. Problems with
language.
Everyone has trouble finding the
right word sometimes, but a person with Alzheimer's often forgets simple words
or substitutes unusual words, making his or her speech or writing hard to
understand. If a person with Alzheimer's is unable to find his or her
toothbrush, for example, the individual may ask for "that thing for my
mouth."
4. Disorientation to
time and place.
It is normal to forget the
day of the week or where you're going. But people with Alzheimer's disease can
become lost on their own street. They may forget where they are and how they
got there, and may not know how to get back home, which can be dangerous.
5. Poor or decreased
judgment.
No one has perfect judgment all
of the time. Those with Alzheimer's may dress without regard to the weather,
wearing several shirts on a warm day or very little clothing in cold weather.
Those with dementia often show poor judgment about money, giving away large
sums to telemarketers or paying for home repairs or products they don't need.
6. Problems with
abstract thinking.
Balancing a checkbook
is a task that can be challenging for some. But a person with Alzheimer's may
forget what the numbers represent and what needs to be done with them.
7. Misplacing things.
Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or key. A person
with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places, like an iron in the
freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.
8. Changes in mood or
behavior.
Everyone can become sad or moody
from time to time. Someone with Alzheimer's disease can show rapid mood swings
- from calm to tears to anger - for no apparent reason.
9. Changes in
personality.
Personalities ordinarily change
somewhat with age. But a person with Alzheimer's can change dramatically,
becoming extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family
member.
10. Loss of
initiative.
It's normal to tire of
housework, business activities or social obligations at times. The person with
Alzheimer's disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the television
for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities.
