Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning. There are early signs and symptoms to look out for. Every person may experience one or more of these signs in varying degrees. If you often experience any of the following, you should consult with your doctor.
1) Loss of Memory that disrupts daily life
Forgetting recently learned information is a common sign; also, forgetting important dates or events; constantly having to ask for the same information; increasingly needing to rely on reminder notes
2) Difficulty in planning or problem solving
Inability to develop and follow a plan such as a familiar recipe or work with numbers like maintaining a checkbook. Another symptom is the challenge in concentrating, which may take much longer to do than before.
3) Familiar tasks at home, work or leisure become a challenge
Difficulty completing daily tasks, such as driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
4) Confusion with time or place
Losing track of the passage of time. This includes having trouble understanding something if it is not currently occurring, often times forgetting where they are or how they got there.
5) Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
For some people, reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast are considered difficult.
6) Difficulty speaking, following a conversation, or writing
Losing track of a topic of conversation and having no idea how to continue. Repeating oneself. Struggling with vocabulary, having trouble finding the right word or even calling things by the wrong names.
7) Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps
Putting items in unusual places. Inability to retrace steps to locate lost items. Sometimes, as a result, accusing others of stealing items.
8) Decreased or poor judgement
Inability to make good judgments or decisions, like dealing with money or hygiene.
9) Withdrawal from work or social activities
Altogether losing interest in hobbies, social activities, work projects, or sports.
10) Changes in mood and personality
Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. Especially in unfamiliar locales.
Reference: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp
