Alzheimer's signs and symptoms
What to look for
The signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's, the most common type of dementia, become more obvious with time. Sometimes it takes an undeniable event, something that has never happened before, to let you know there may be a problem. It could be dishes placed in the wrong cabinet or a problem remembering common words like "milk".
People with Alzheimer's may know something isn't quite right, but they may not know what. They may act as if everything is fine or try to hide the symptoms, rather than call attention to them.
By knowing what to look for, you can be better prepared to help. If you or your loved one exhibits even one of these signs, it could be Alzheimer's.
Common signs and symptoms
- Problems doing simple tasks, such as getting dressed
- Difficulty talking with others
- Trouble with knowing the time, date, or place
- Poor judgment, such as going out in the cold without a coat
- Trouble solving problems
- Losing things, such as keys, more often than usual
- Changes in mood and behavior
- Forgetting both recent and past events
| Normal aging | Early signs of Alzheimer's |
|---|---|
| Forgetting the names of people they rarely see | Forgetting the names of people close to them |
| Briefly forgetting part of an experience | Forgetting a recent experience |
| Occasionally not being able to find something | Not being able to find important things |
| Mood changes because of an appropriate cause | Having unpredictable mood changes |
| Changes in their interests | Decreased interest in activities |
Keeping track of symptoms
Identifying the symptoms
Writing down the changes you're seeing can help you know how to best move forward. Alzheimer's symptoms fall into three categories: cognition, behavior, and everyday activities. You or your loved one may be showing symptoms in any or all of these three.
Below is a sample of a tool which you can take to the doctor to help have a productive conversation with them. You should print it out and use it over time to keep track of symptoms. It may help to print several copies of it, and fill one out each month with the changes you're seeing.
You or your loved one sometimes has difficulty with:
- Learning something new
- Remembering names
- Remembering appointments
- Figuring things out
You or your loved one:
- Sometimes believes things are real when they're not
- Has lost interest in usual activities
- Has exhibited personality changes
- Appears disoriented and confused
- Gets angry or withdrawn for no apparent reason
You or your loved one sometimes has difficulty with:
- Using the phone
- Simple household chores
- Dressing
- Bathing
- Taking care of himself/herself
- Handling money
- Getting lost in familiar places
There is another tool called the symptom screener that doctors commonly use to figure out if the problems you're noticing could be symptoms of Alzheimer's. After you've started tracking symptoms, you may also want to fill the screener out.
This Web site contains information relating to various medical conditions and treatment. Such information is provided for educational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice of a physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use this information for diagnosing a health problem or disease. In order for you to make intelligent healthcare decisions, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare provider for your, or your loved one's, personal medical needs.
All quotes included in this Web site represent the individual experience of some doctors, some patients, and their caregivers. Individual responses to treatment may vary. Actual identities have been changed to protect individual privacy.
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