There is still no cure for Alzheimer’s disease but with early detection, treatment with proper medications can manage the symptoms. Treating the disease early will allow affected persons to live easily for longer, which is why it is important to know what signs to look for. Alzheimer’s symptoms vary for every person but the most common symptoms include:

Memory Loss

Loss of memory is the most common sign of Alzheimer’s. Does your parent or grandparent forget information they have learned easily? Are they asking for the same information repeatedly? Do they rely on memory aids such as notes or reminders?

Confusion

With early onset Alzheimer’s, patients can find that they are disoriented, get lost easily, forget where they are and do not know how they got there in the first place. People with Alzheimer’s can also lose track of time and dates. If you find you or your loved one is confused about the day but you eventually figure it out, it can be as sign that you have early on-set Alzheimer’s.

Losing Things

It is very common to misplace things and manage to find them by retracing your steps. If you have onset Alzheimer’s, you lose things and find it hard to retrace your steps. Misplacing of items increase as time goes on and you may accuse other people of taking your things.

Difficulty Problem Solving

Some people may experience an inability of sticking to plans they made, find it hard to concentrate on tasks that require a lot of mental energy or following a recipe for a dish they have made many times in the past.  You will take longer to do tasks than in the past.

Change in Moods

Alzheimer’s bring a change of mood and personality. Affected persons become paranoid, anxious and easily irritated. Depression that starts after the age of 50 can be a sign of early onset Alzheimer’s.

Social Withdrawal

If you are affected with Alzheimer’s, you may stop participating in activities that you enjoyed in the past such as hobbies or sports.

People with Alzheimer’s may find that they cannot recall the right words to describe something or they refer to things with wrong names. They may find it hard to join in on conversations and follow it without repeating themselves.

If you notice these signs in yourself or your loved ones, you should consult with a doctor. The Alzheimer’s Association is a wonderful resource for family and friends of people suffering from AD and other Dementia’s.

The sooner you recognize symptoms, the sooner you can begin treatment and make decisions on steps moving forward.

For more on this subject, read our blog “Communicating Compassionately with a Person with Memory Impairment.”

Seniors Helping Seniors is a unique care program that matches seniors to other seniors in need of assistance, to continue activities they enjoy and remain independent and safe in familiar surroundings.