• image.alt
  • With Mayo Clinic health education outreach coordinator

    Angela Lunde

    read biography

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

  • Alzheimer's blog

  • Oct. 31, 2009

    10 warning signs of Alzheimer's

    By Angela Lunde

12 comments posted

With November upon us, the holiday season is apparent. This time of year I experience an increase in calls and e-mails from concerned family members. Since the holidays are often a time when families who are miles apart gather with one another, memory problems get noticed. A son or daughter visiting mom or dad for a few days may begin to see changes in memory that may not have been so apparent during their phone call visits.

Sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate between the normal changes that occur with aging and the signs of something more serious like Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association has an updated list of 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's that I find helpful. Each warning sign includes a description with some examples. In addition, there is a brief statement of normal or typical age related changes that may not be a cause to worry.

Alzheimer's Association 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's:

  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
    One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
    What's typical? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
  • Challenges in planning or solving problems
    Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
    What's typical? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
    People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
    What's typical? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
  • Confusion with time or place
    People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
    What's typical? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
  • Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
    For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.
    What's typical? Vision changes related to cataracts
  • New problems with words in speaking or writing
    People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
    What's typical? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word
  • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
    A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
    What's typical? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control
  • Decreased or poor judgment
    People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
    What's typical? Making a bad decision once in a while.
  • Withdrawal from work or social activities
    A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
    What's typical? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations
  • Changes in mood and personality
    The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
    What's typical? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted

12 comments posted

blog index

  • November 12, 2009 6:25 a.m.

    Very informative article.

    - Sana

  • November 11, 2009 8:03 a.m.

    a direct response to kim. My wife is in menopause, and is on some drugs (for depression). From both of these she exhibits some of the symptoms in the list (maybe even all at one time or another) but it is clear she does not have the level of cognitive impairment that is concerning. Remember (ha-ha), as we age it takes more work to remember things. Loss of function in menopause is, as I understand it, not unusual and does not bear a warning for the future. Just my two bits.

    - Paul

  • November 10, 2009 7:42 p.m.

    just because you may be experiencing alittle of this going into menopause, does this mean you may be likely to have ALS later?

    - kim

  • November 6, 2009 8:38 a.m.

    This article is right on! Thanks you. My husband, age 54, has just been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. I've known that something wasn't right for some time, but wasn't sure what. We did all the testing, twice. Mayo is finally the place that was brave enough to say the words. He is already at moderate stages. Be alert, ask questions, demand a visit with the doctor and be sure you (spouse/significant other) go with. There is so much to be done quickly while he can legally sign things. Don't waste a minute. Personally... I'm devastated and trying to cope. This wasn't in the plans. I feel robbed of 25 years of life together!!

    - Sandi

  • November 6, 2009 3:16 a.m.

    My partner suffered a head injury in 1971 and I met him in 1979. He began to have occasional seizures, later developing to uncontrolled and cluster ones. Eventually, his seizures were brought under control, but sadly too late to stop him from sustaining further brain damage. Over the last 5 years I have noticed strange and out of character behavior that are sometimes dangerous. However, the neuropsychologist refuses to give it a name, when it is crystal clear what the dreaded diagnosis is called. Most of the time I feel alone, unheard and hopeless for his and my future. I am also very angry for the deception. One year ago I was hospitalised for 28 days under the section 2 of mental health act as the result of relentless anxiety and lack of support. Despite this nothing has changed, bar I now have a name for my own mental health problem: Bipolar disorder. Sometimes, I feel the only way out of this misery is for both of us to die at the same time and soon as I do not wish him having to fall into the hands of unscrupulous people. His siblings are sitting on his inheritance and give him only a handout which is of little use. What can I do?

    - Shaida

  • November 5, 2009 6:39 a.m.

    Anyone who has seen the results of a wrong diagnosis in the case for example, of LewyBody Dementia would be as worried as I am about using the "A" word in place of "Dementia". However, as there are so many different types, I have no idea how to remedy this problem.

    - Cliff

  • November 4, 2009 2:18 p.m.

    I found this article helpful and comforting. My grandmother died of Alzheimer's and my 73 year old mother is in a nursing home with it. I'm 49 and think every time I forget something I'm getting it. That's why this helps. So do the comments from all of you -- especially the ones about pushing for help early. And Don, I admire what you are doing for yourself -- not to worry about your spelling. What you have to say is relevant and important and I am impressed with you taking charge and doing all you can to keep this at bay.

    - Anne

  • November 4, 2009 12:16 p.m.

    Have all 10 (first noticed some of at age 69 - now 74) and a family history (my mother's side). "Mild cognitive imparement" based on a 1 on 1 test. Four years of memory testing, will participate in the 17 Nov National Screening Day again. They have data from each year and wondering if we can charactorize the slope of the curve - is it linear and we can do some projections or is it the "slippery slope" curving downward as it feels to me. In either case there seems to be no cure in sight.The effectiveness of delaying action is vague at best, but it gives me something to do: brain excersize, physical fitness, and medication - Aricept (I was fortuniate enough to participate the the Aricept Trials, and could tell with the first pill that I didn't have the placebo) and an off lable application of Bupropion 450 mg/day. It certainaly provides mental stimulation but I know of no tests that support the idea that it may be effective. Anybody found something else that "seems to do some good"? Sorry about the spelling but it's hard enough to find the words let alone be able to spell them. I'll check with the Dentist about my fillings but looking it seems to be all gold crowns. "Here's thinking of you" - Don

    - Don

  • November 4, 2009 12:01 p.m.

    Both my Grandmother and Mother died from parkinsons dementia. I am 57 and it is my greatest fear. To make matters worse,in 1999 i was hurt in a head on collision and had a traumatic brain injury. The minute i START TO forget things, I am leaving this world.......

    - Dale

  • November 4, 2009 4:30 a.m.

    The article is somewhat ambiguious. Is the author speaking of symptoms of "Alzheimer's disease" pe se or dementia in general? The is a matter of some importance to me, where I have been diagnosed with small vessel ischemic deep white matter disease, which may lead to "mild cognitive impairment" or - worst case - vascular dementia. Just this week with all of the attention being paid to former NFL players, there have been articles about how people are now being more careful in throwing around the term "Alzheimer's disease" so as not to confuse it with other forms of dementia. It would be unfortunate if someone writing on behalf of the Mayo Clinic did not meet that standard of clarity.

    - Mike

  • November 3, 2009 6:01 p.m.

    The most dangerous risk for Alzheimers is mercury poisoning the fillings in your teeth people. If a dentist goes public with this info the A.D.A pull their licence that day. Dentists have 10 times the risk of early Alzheimers then the average population sample. people with out mercury based fillings usely do not develop signs of degenerative impairment until the late 80's or 90's

    - steve

  • November 1, 2009 4:05 a.m.

    Take any noticeable sign of Alzheimer's and PUSH PUSH Push for help. Many Dr's will say...it is just aging..we will wait and see. Many family members say ..well, I will let my love one decide! NO..do it yourself. Over 7 years ago, I suspected some signs of alz. w/hubby. I went through the hoops and pushed to get him in to see a Dr. (He didn't want to go...I found an excuse) Gave the written info to the nurse and she passed it on to the Dr before the Dr came into the exam room. Our Dr. didn't hesitate...next visit to a neurolgist..the normal testing to rule out other problems disease followed. Then Aricept, later Namenda..later nerve pills. My husband still is able to walk the neighborhood, recognize friends/family...most everyone's names are gone, He sleeps well, He feeds himself, cannot stay alone but he is doing well. MY Message is push if there is any sign...push your love one push your Dr. With help we are "doing good" at this point. He is 77 years old!!!!

    - Mary B

Post a comment

Text Size: smaller largerlarger