Ten Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are often confused as being the same, but they’re not. Dementia describes a set of symptoms that include degraded memory, reasoning, and thinking. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes dementia, but dementia can also be caused by other conditions.

One of the challenges with identifying the symptoms of Alzheimer’s is that memory problems naturally increase with age. It’s important then to distinguish age-related memory changes from memory problems that interfere with daily life.

Here are ten early warning signs and symptoms. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.

• Uncharacteristic changes in mood and personality

• Withdrawal from work or social activities

• Decreased or poor judgment

• Misplacing things, unable to retrace steps

• New problems with words in speaking or writing

• Trouble understanding visual signs

• Confusion with time or place

• Difficulty completing tasks

• Challenges in solving problems

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life

If you’d like to discuss this or other dementia-related issue, just Ask LAUREN.