Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of dementia. As it happens, it is a “progressive” disorder that mainly causes the degeneration of brain cells. In short, when you have Alzheimer’s, your brain cells will “waste away” as time passes by.

While people who are diagnosed with AD are normally seniors and older individuals, it is not normal for anyone to have the disorder. Unfortunately, the main cause of the disease is still unknown today, which also means that the cure is yet to be found. Even so, experts in the field found links between Alzheimer’s Disease and one’s lifestyle, and many Alzheimer’s care facilities for seniors in recent times also agree.

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

While the main causes of the disease have remained unknown these days, here are the ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. If it happens that you notice yourself or someone in your family experiencing one or some of these things, do not ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor or a specialist.

 

• Problem Solving Challenges

 

People who are living with Alzheimer’s Disease or any other form of dementia normally find it challenging to solve problems, especially the complex ones. This can be seen when changes have become apparent when it comes to following or developing plans.

As simple as having a hard time following a usual meal recipe or tracking monthly bills can already be an early sign of AD or dementia. And it might also take time to do these tasks for people who have the disorder.

 

• Difficulty In Common Task Completion

 

Aside from computing bills and analyzing recipes, daily chores and routines can also become daunting tasks for people who are living with Alzheimer’s Disease. This may include troubles in remembering familiar locations, making grocery lists, or even understanding rules of simple games.

As per caretakers from several assisted living & senior communities, most seniors who are living with early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease would normally need help when using a microwave or television sets.

 

• Challenges in Spatial and Visual Understanding 

 

Having spatial and vision problems are also common for people who have Alzheimer’s Disease. This is why the majority of them have difficulties in reading and balancing themselves.

Other challenges may include struggles in analyzing distance and even in simple color and contrast determination.

 

• Memory Loss

 

Memory loss is the most common sign of Alzheimer’s Disease. Although short-term memory loss has been deemed as normal as you age, intense forgetfulness may already be a sign of a much deeper concern.

People who are living with the disease and any other forms of dementia may experience troubles in remembering dates and information, especially the ones that are recently obtained. This is why questions are repeatedly asked to the people in the surroundings.

 

• Geographical and Time Disorientation

 

Geographical and time disorientation are also common signs of early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. This has been deemed to be related to having memory problems as well as having spatial and visual understanding.

Accordingly, people who have AD find it quite challenging to drive, commute, or have trips alone as they see almost all things in a complicated manner.

 

• Conversational Challenges

 

Difficulties in engaging conversations are also deemed to be apparent signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. This is, somehow, linked with the aspect of memory loss. 

According to experts and caretakers, there are instances when seniors and older individuals find it hard to say certain words because either they totally forget what they are going to say or they have struggles in finding the words. Hence, conversations become more limited and strained.

 

• Disability To Retrace Things

 

It is very common for people with Alzheimer’s Disease to place their items, whether valuable or not, in unusual and strange places. As a result, it causes the apparent difficulties in tracing their steps back to find these items. 

It has been also stated that people who have many serious cases of the condition tend to accuse others of stealing as they can no longer remember that they hid the item in the first place.

 

• Poor Judgment

 

In relation to having difficulties in problem-solving, another common sign of Alzheimer’s Disease is having changes in judgment and decision-making. This sign may cause impact not only to the individual who has the disorder but, to the people in the surroundings as well.

Poor judgments can be seen in various instances like dealing with money, changing car oil, and other simple tasks of everyday living. This can be also seen when the individual starts to pay less attention to keeping themselves properly groomed and clean.

 

• Mood Swings

 

Mood swings are also apparent signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. People who are living with the said condition are found to be more irritated and suspicious of their surroundings. Accordingly, there is an evidential exhibition of changes in mood, personality, and behavior.

Normally, these changes happen when they find themselves out of their comfort zones. As it happens, they tend to be very confused, fearful, anxious, and depressed. They also get upset easily over trivial things.

 

• Reduced Social Interaction

 

In parallelism with having difficulties in engaging conversations with others, individuals who are living Alzheimer’s Disease are found to develop the actual reduction of social interactions.

While one of the reasons might be due to the difficulties in communicating with others, the changes in mood and behavior can also be a factor.

As a result, they tend to withdraw themselves from doing their routines, usual hobbies, activities, and other engagements that may involve others in the process. One may also notice that there is an overwhelming disinterest from the person with Alzheimer’s even with families and significant others.

Early Detection Matters

If you are experiencing one or some of these signs, then have yourself checked by experts and doctors. It is important for you and your family to know what lies behind the things that you are experiencing. 

If it is not dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, then good for you. But, if in case you get an early detection, it may be unfortunate, nevertheless, early detection is very important as you and your significant others can do the necessary steps to treat and even resolve the condition.

Author Bio:

This post was written by Holly Klamer. She loves to write on issues related to memory care facilities  for seniors, assisted and senior living  and retirement and is a frequent contributor on many blogs and online publications