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    Angela Lunde

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  • Alzheimer's blog

  • Oct. 31, 2009

    10 warning signs of Alzheimer's

    By Angela Lunde

85 comments posted

Alzheimer's Caregiving

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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

85 comments posted

blog index

  • May 9, 2013 4:25 p.m.

    My grandmother and great grandfather had early-onset Alzheimer's. My father shows some signs of it, but my two uncles have already been diagnosed. I have been suffering from some neurological issues for a few years now, and last week I had a major embarrassment at work (bank teller) where I could not work out change. My neuro is investigating. It's a hard thing to face. I have a wonderful husband and wonderful children. I feel at peace and if my progression were to follow the timing of grandma's I have many years ahead of me with high functionality. What has been helpful is the knowing. My husband and I can talk about stuff and he knows what's ahead. If it progresses quickly, then at least we have had the time that we have had together. I am thankful that I was able to learn many great truths in this life. I am thankful to be a mother and to have this knowledge now so that my children can have the preparation. My grandfather is such a wonderful example for how to care for a wife with Alzheimer's. He kept her home until her bodily functions required medical attention. She was brought home to die with all her children around her for a full week. In the end she still recognized her favorite music and could move her toes to the rhythm. I am only 39, but I am hopeful that I have several good years ahead of me. I am certain that knowledge will make it easier for my family to roll with the progression. :-)

    - M

  • February 10, 2013 9:35 p.m.

    I am having severe problems with memory. I volunteer as a veteran service officer and I work on cases with vets. I come in the next day and look at the desk and don't connect with any of the paper work or remember the fellow that was there yesterday. =Only yesterday I was working in my barn with horses and came up to the house and took a shower. I can't remember getting dressed but found myself at a desk staring at piles of papers and bills not connecting to anything on the table as mine. I had a panic attack and started rumaging the papers for a date, a thing i could relate to and then I looked around the room and it seemed familiar but I still wasn't connecting to the fact that i was in my house. I felt fear and panic and alone and thought i had been abandon when my wife came in and I did not remember whe told me she was going to town. I am worried and very concerned . I suffer from DVT, Conjestive heart failure and am 69 years old. I am on heavy meds for heart and have a clogged filter under my heart because of blood clots. I am on coumadin. What should I do. I was exposed to agent orange in vietnam and have clor achne and type II diabetes. I feel like I am disapearing in my own mind.

    - Doug

  • February 1, 2013 8:31 p.m.

    My mother had alzheimer's and it was difficult to notice because I have worked for bosses 50+ who were very forgetful but functional and my mother never was with short-term memory until the end. My mother did make me the scapecoat starting at about 70 years, was financially irresponsible and mean but she was so stubborn that she would fight the family when we tried to speak to her about spending plus her mother passed and then my father. It is a sad disease because you don't know it's coming until you have actually lost the person or a large part of them.

    - sue

  • January 16, 2013 3:42 a.m.

    Question: I suspect that there could be early stages of dementia/Alzheimer's in my wife but no one (including health professionals) is taking my concerns seriously. What can I do now?

    - Dave

  • June 13, 2012 5:51 a.m.

    I am afraid that my husband may be getting this, I don't know for sure, he always was very well kept, now if I can get him to shower once a week I am doing good, he will wear the same clothes for a week, with food stains, he can not remember what his Drs tell him,so I need to be with him. He has a habit that he just started about 6 mths ago, he will set and keep touching his self, even in front of people, his attitude is horrible, can be so nasty and everything is negitive, does not want to do anything. I keep praying it is not this.Linda

    - Linda

  • May 31, 2012 5:05 p.m.

    Roxy, The first thing you do is read everything you can about Alzheimer's. Being a long distant obsever is very difficult. You must learn what the Caregiver is going through by understanding the desease. Your are dealing with Alzheimer's not the person. I am a Caregiver for my husband and the first rule for a Carefiver is..."take care of yourself first". The Caregiver needs time out because of the great responsibility that they are taking on. In short they need a lot of help. They can not do it alone. There are many wonderful books on the subject andthe one I recomend is Gail Sheehy's Passages in Caregiving. You will learn more than you every knew to ask about. Good Luck to you and God Bless.

    - Shirley

  • April 28, 2012 1:13 p.m.

    I am a caregiver and have been a cna for 8 yrs now. Taking care of someone who has alzheimer's can be a difficult at times. At this time I am dong private in home care and one of my client's is in the 3rd stage. I have taken care of this person for only 6 months and have seen her decline drastically. At times I go outside and take a break and cry. This is not an easy thing for family and friends to handle and my best advise to anyone is please be empathetic. If you could just put yourself in their shoes for just an hour..Being confused, not knowing from one minute to the next what is going on..Can you imagine the fear and anxiety of this person..Also please feel blessed and just be there for this person..We are able to make decisions for ourselves and know where we are..how to get to the store and back..Both my parents were in wheelchairs due to polio and some take it for granted what we can do for ourselves..I thank God every day I can walk and do for myself. Without him I am nothing..To have him I can do all things..Hope this helps someone..God Bless and please do not give up..you can do this and you can hold your head up high knowing you can look in the mirror with a smile..I Peter 5:7 this is a good one..take care

    - Laura

  • April 7, 2012 3:51 p.m.

    To Mary of March 17, 2012: We live in a messed up world. Some may ask, "Why doesn't God do something about it?" He knows our needs and situations and does love us, and He has done something about it: He has given us His son, Jesus Christ. Jesus really did die for all people, rose from the dead, and invites each person to a relationship with Him. Choose to admit your need for reconc iliation to God (each one of us has sinned) and believe that Jesus accomplished that by His death and resurrection, and decide to be His follower. And start church shopping! There are people who will care for you and your family.

    - Karen

  • March 27, 2012 10:52 p.m.

    I would also like info on where I could be tested for early onset alzheimers. I am definieltely having memory problems, but still working. Care for parents with stroke &alzheimers plus kids may b a big factor. To the woman with husband in testing and child with disability. Talk to your local/nearest alzheimers association to find as much help/support as you can. Let your husband help as much as possible while he can. It will make him less depressed as well. He can do alot (cleaning!). I see a big need for assistance devices. Write instructions and tape them down so whe wont lose them, label everything with big letters (so he can put away). Write instructions for things like vacuum. I hope he can help with your son some. Call meals on wheels, you dont need to be poor or old to have them deliver meals. my heart goes out to you. Let the house be dirty, play music lots, eat easy foods, never ever feel guilty. If you dont have support group, make yourself hire a babysitter and go to support group. It will be hard to give so much with so little thanks.

    - Layla.

  • March 17, 2012 10:35 a.m.

    My 60 year old husband is just starting the testing process for early onset Alzheimer's. We have a 21 year old son with Autism. My husband's mother had Alzheimer's, confirmed with an autopsy. My mother had vascular dementia and I was her caregiver for more than 15 years for her slow decline. She died in 2007. The next year my husband was laid off from his job of 23 years. He's had 2 more layoffs since then. I'm currently the full time "breadwinner" still taking care of my son who is pretty non-verbal. He lives with us and is supposed to have res-hab, but the agency never seems to find anyone to help. Now that my husband is starting the slow decline, I'm so exhausted, so burned out, so depressed and angry. It's completely agonizing waking up every day and having to go to work at 6:30 am just so I can get home at 3 pm to cook, clean, do laundry, get groceries and try to maintain the household. I have no other family.My sister committed suicide in 2006 after suffering bipolar disorder for more than 40 years. There's got to be a genetic connection to all of this. I don't know if I can handle all that I am going to have to manage for the next ten or twenty years. I met my husband when we were 11. We'll be married 34 years this year. We have no close friends, no family and we don't belong to a church or a community organization. My co-workers are all 20 years younger. I turn 60 this year. So much for the golden years. Caregiving was not my career choice. And no chance t

    - Mary

  • February 7, 2012 6:32 p.m.

    my Dad had Alzheimers-diagnosed in 2006. He was a type 2 diabetic since 1967. His mom died of Huntingtons Chorea in 1967. by October of 2011 he rarely formed a sentence, but he could smile and say HI. my Mom had to help him get dressed and she always had to take him to the bathroom so he wouldn't make a mess. she was a nurse, so she was a great caretaker, but did have help twice a week so that she could go out by herself. he always wanted to sit in his chair. but he also liked to go places in the car. at night he would be restless and finally my mom would take him to his room to sleep and she could tell that he was glad to be there. while the disease was progressing, there were times when he would cry because he coudn't form sentences, or find the words. it was hard to hear him say, "i'm so stupid, why am i so stupid?" and this was a man who had 2 Master's degrees, had a successful career as an Air Force officer and Federal employee. he raised 6 successful kids. we were all there the weekend that he died. he had a heart attack, fell on the steps and was screaming "i'm dying" as he clutched his chest. the ER doc said he only had a broken clavicle, when in fact it WAS his heart. the attack ruined his organs and he died 6 days later. the advance directive he signed with my Mom said "no resuscitation". I'm currently researching the link between Alzheimer's and type 2 diabetes so that i can present at a meeting at my hospital. i pray for everyone wit

    - mary

  • January 10, 2012 7:06 a.m.

    So, what does family do when demintia is suspected in a parent, but the parent lives 300 miles away and refuses to leave home to stay with one of us, or or an appropriate facility? At what point is it neglect on our part? And, why is the 'caretaker' not doing anything about it.

    - Roxy

  • October 4, 2011 2:32 p.m.

    I never realized that things would change as fast and in a direction that I had no knowledge of. I have sat and cried until I had no tears left. I love my love and now I see so many things starting to fall apart around me. My wife and I have just adopted an 8 yo boy from Peru and I am so afraid that I will not be able to care properly for him. I have worked my entire adult life so that as we aged we could do those things we had dearmed of. Now, I realize that I may not be a big a part of my family and that I may even cause much heart ache in the near future. I love my family and children more than I can ever show. I know the burden they may have to endure, hopefully I will be able to show my love and they me there's. The Lord has given me a very bountiful life and loved ones who I life more than life, but not knowing it I will even recognize in the near future is so heart breaking, maybe the good lord will give me the strength and that I will need in the future. I wonder if there is a place when I know I need to go If there is a place I can go and face my end without any more hurt and tears. I hurt so much and I see in the faces of my loved ones that they are hurting and I can not face them in the state that I am heading towards. God Bless all of those who live with this most dilibitating disease. I pray that I can go quickly and not cause too much pain, sorrow, dispair.

    - Mac

  • September 4, 2011 5:56 a.m.

    I also truly believe that all the medications people are on have a tremendous effect on both mind and personality over time. Not that some meds aren't necessary,even critical to our well being such as antibiotics etc., also only when needed but many are not. And big pharma is making billlions of $$$ medicating us at younger and younger ages. Think about it. Some docs are actually starting to speak out against this and write books about it. Just look at some of the drugs that are found dangerous and removed from the shelves. I attended a symposium for CEU credits led by doctors mostly and other staff. In this particular state one now has to state whether one is affiliated with that drug company and all but ONE was affiliated with a particular drug company. This may mean free seminars for some without much more which may be harmless but it may also mean they invest in the product and want to see it make lots of money for them. But I have hope that before I leave this earth many will be exposed for what they are. I now ask my docs, when advised to take any medication for anythig if he/she is affiliated with the drug company and if so to what capacity.

    - Le

  • August 24, 2011 6:18 p.m.

    The ten signs of Alzheimer's seem to be the symptoms I'm having. Where can i get tested?

    - Sabrina

  • August 24, 2011 10:18 a.m.

    I think you misunderstood by what she said is "typical". What is typical is what we all experience from time to time, such as misplacing our keys or glasses. A person with Alzheimer's might put their glasses in the refrigerator, or some unusual spot.

    - Mary

  • August 23, 2011 10:30 p.m.

    Your description of "typical" symtoms is very scary. Everyone I know, of any age, exhibits many of these symtoms "sometimes", "occasionally", "once in a while", etc. Cataracts obviously cause vision changes. Are you implying that cataracts are a symptom of Alzheimers?

    - Judy

  • August 15, 2011 10:35 a.m.

    My Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's but tried to take the Aricept and it made him 10 times worse. The doctor says now that Dad is just one of those people who can't take the medicine for Alzheimer's. Sometimes I think that all the blood pressure, diuretics, blood thinners and diabetes medicines are "what causes the memory loss" in the first place!

    - KY Kaye

  • July 19, 2011 1:44 p.m.

    I read in the paper today that scratching the head maybe an indicator. It is due to the chemical shifting in the scalp. My Mom had this terrible affliction early on in Altzheimers. This maybe another route to a cure???

    - Jeanna

  • July 14, 2011 10:23 a.m.

    My Wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few years ago and she now will not get dressed and go to the doctor or beauty parlor which is very rare for her. This has been going on for 2 or more years. She has not been out of the house in 7 weeks. Is this normal?

    - Jack

  • May 27, 2011 10:03 a.m.

    To the person who's Mother is suffering from dizziness, fatigue and wanting to sleep all the time - she may be suffering with Meniere's Disease, a dizziness disorder often associated with aging. I see your posting was in March. It's now late May and you may not see this comment. Hoping you have found some answers by now. Best of luck...Karene

    - Karene

  • May 20, 2011 4:07 a.m.

    murray To one reader who questioned the "smell of smoke". My Dad turned 100 years of age this year. I looked after him for years when he went thru. undiagnosed dementia. For years he would smell smoke and get upset when no on else could. He also reckoned he could hear a dog barking all night when we couldn't. He became tyranical, which was strange for a mild mannered man.

    - murray To one reader who qustioned the "smell of smoke". My Dad turned 100yrs. of age this year

  • May 11, 2011 2:41 p.m.

    i dont like the thought of that disease i wish that alzheimers was not a disease that was worth losing your memory for

    - lisa

  • May 4, 2011 2:18 p.m.

    Looking back I now reconize some of the early symptoms my Mother had.I see how hard emotionally it was for me(not that I regret the time i had with her)but fear what my children would have to go thru if i should develope it.I am now 63 and seeing what is typical I feel much better,that i don't have to worry right now over those little things.Thank you for this artical.I was once told that doing the best you can do is all you can do.Please except help when you can nearer the end a special nursing home was what was best for her and myself.The time we had was just visiting one on one and not trying to do all the other caring things. Just love her.

    - Marlene

  • March 16, 2011 7:19 p.m.

    My father has moderate dementia, he lives in Calif with a live in. I have been trying to get him back here in MN to live with me but he keeps fighting me about the weather being to cold and that he gets cold easily because he is on coumandin, I am not particulary happy with his live in, she is not very motivated to do things with him. I have spoke to his doctor about this and he said there is nothing he can do about it except for me tell him the positve side of being with his family. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

    - Vicki

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