How can you tell if someone is starting to get Alzheimer's? Understanding the Early Signs

According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. Recognizing the subtle, early signs is crucial for effective management and planning. This guide will help you understand how can you tell if someone is starting to get Alzheimer's by distinguishing normal aging from more serious cognitive changes.

Quick Summary

Identifying Alzheimer's early involves recognizing more than just forgetfulness; it includes changes in problem-solving, mood, and judgment. Subtle shifts in personality and communication difficulties are also key indicators.

Key Points

• Memory Loss Isn't Just Forgetfulness: It's the inability to recall newly learned information or recent events, not just occasional forgetfulness.

• Behavioral Changes are Key: Watch for sudden shifts in mood, personality, judgment, and a tendency to withdraw from social activities.

• Daily Tasks Become Difficult: Struggling with tasks that were once familiar, like balancing a budget or driving to a familiar location, is a red flag.

• Distinguish from Normal Aging: Compare observed symptoms to the established list of Alzheimer's warning signs, not just general age-related forgetfulness.

• Professional Diagnosis is Essential: If you suspect Alzheimer's, a doctor's evaluation is the necessary next step for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

• Early Detection Empowers Action: An early diagnosis provides time for a person and their family to plan for the future and access support services.

Recognizing the Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer's

Recognizing the potential onset of Alzheimer's disease can be challenging because early symptoms are often mild and can mimic normal age-related changes. However, paying close attention to specific patterns and types of cognitive and behavioral shifts is crucial for early detection. It's not just about forgetting where you left your keys, but rather significant, persistent changes that disrupt daily life.

The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's

Based on criteria from leading health organizations, here are the most common early warning signs to look for in a loved one:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life: This is the most common early sign. A person may start to forget recently learned information, important dates or events, or repeatedly ask for the same information. They become increasingly reliant on memory aids or family members for things they used to handle themselves.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems: Difficulty following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills can be an early indicator. The ability to concentrate declines, and tasks that involve planning become much more difficult.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks: Forgetting how to get to a familiar location, or struggling to complete a task at work or a favorite hobby, are common signs. These are tasks they have done hundreds of times before.
4. Confusion with time or place: A person with early Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. They may forget where they are or how they got there.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: For some, visual issues are a sign of Alzheimer's. This can cause difficulty with balance, reading, and judging distance. It may also lead to issues recognizing their own reflection in a mirror.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing: They may have trouble following or joining a conversation. Vocabulary use becomes more limited, and they may struggle to find the right word, calling things by the wrong name.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: A person with Alzheimer's may start putting things in unusual places. They may also accuse others of stealing when they cannot find an item, as the ability to retrace steps is gone.
8. Decreased or poor judgment: This can manifest as making poor decisions with money, such as giving away large sums to telemarketers. They may also neglect personal grooming or appearance.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities: The person may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects, or sports. They may find it difficult to keep up with their favorite teams or activities.
10. Changes in mood and personality: The mood and personality of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They may also become easily upset in familiar places or situations.

Normal Age-Related Changes vs. Alzheimer's

It's important to distinguish between normal signs of aging and the more serious symptoms of Alzheimer's. The following table highlights some key differences:

Feature	Normal Age-Related Change	Early Alzheimer's Symptom
Memory	Sometimes forgets names or appointments, but remembers them later.	Forgetting recently learned information, important events, and never recalling them.
Planning	Makes an occasional error when balancing a checkbook.	Inability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers.
Familiar Tasks	Occasionally needs help with household tasks, like a TV setting.	Difficulty completing familiar daily tasks, like driving to a known location.
Time/Place	Gets confused about the day of the week but figures it out.	Losing track of dates, seasons, and where they are.
Judgment	Makes a bad decision once in a while.	Decreased or poor judgment, including giving money away carelessly.

The Importance of Early Detection

Early diagnosis provides many benefits for both the individual and their family. It can:

• Allow for treatment: While there is no cure, certain treatments can help with symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Facilitate planning: It gives the person and their family time to make legal, financial, and future care plans.
• Improve safety: Early diagnosis allows for safety planning, such as reviewing driving abilities and preventing wandering.
• Provide access to support: Early access to resources, support groups, and clinical trials is possible.

What to Do Next

If you observe several of these signs over time, the first and most important step is to consult a medical professional. A doctor can conduct tests to determine the cause of the symptoms. It’s important to prepare for the appointment by documenting the specific changes you’ve noticed, when they started, and how frequently they occur.

For more information and resources, visit the official website of the Alzheimer's Association. Their site offers extensive support, educational materials, and guidance on how to navigate a diagnosis. You can find invaluable resources by clicking on this link: Alzheimer's Association.

Conclusion

Identifying the early signs of Alzheimer's is a critical step toward providing the best possible care for a loved one. By understanding the distinct differences between normal aging and the persistent, disruptive symptoms of this disease, you can be better prepared to seek a professional diagnosis. Early intervention and support can make a significant difference in the quality of life for the individual and their family, allowing for a better-prepared journey ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the very first sign of Alzheimer's?

The most common early sign is memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as forgetting important dates or recently learned information, and repeatedly asking for the same information.

Is it normal to forget things as you age?

Occasional forgetfulness, like misplacing keys or forgetting a name, is a normal part of aging. The key difference with Alzheimer's is the persistence and disruptive nature of the memory loss.

Can behavioral changes indicate Alzheimer's?

Yes. Significant changes in mood, personality, and social behavior, such as becoming irritable, anxious, or withdrawing from activities, can be early signs of the disease.

How can you tell if someone is starting to get Alzheimer's and not just depressed?

While both can share symptoms like withdrawal, depression often involves feelings of sadness, while early Alzheimer's is more defined by cognitive impairments like memory loss and confusion with time or place.

Should I be concerned about my loved one getting lost?

Yes. Confusion with time and place is a notable sign. If a person gets disoriented in a familiar place, such as their neighborhood, it is a serious concern that warrants a medical evaluation.

What should I do if I notice early signs of Alzheimer's?

The most important step is to schedule an appointment with a doctor for a thorough evaluation. Providing the doctor with a list of the changes you have observed will be very helpful.

Is it possible to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's?

While there is currently no cure, early diagnosis allows access to treatments that can manage symptoms and potentially slow cognitive decline for a period of time. A healthy lifestyle can also play a role.