Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia and a progressive cognitive disorder, which gradually worsens thinking skills and memory, and the capacity to perform simple, everyday tasks. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease typically show symptoms as early as their mid-60s; however, even though advanced age is a factor in development, brain injury and excessive usage of alcohol and drugs can prompt the disease onset sooner.
Early signs of Alzheimer’s disease include the following and should be discussed with a doctor:

1. Problem solving difficulties
Alzheimer’s patients usually experience diverse changes in their capacity to solve problems, particularly while working with figures. Problem-solving difficulties may suddenly develop and affect tasks that they’ve done for years, including keeping track of bills or medications. Concentration may become a problem with some patients, and loved ones may suddenly notice they take added time to complete common, everyday tasks, like getting dressed.

2. Confusion about time and place
Patients with Alzheimer’s may get confused with seasons, dates, and passage of time. They might refer to the past as if it were the present, and they may get frustrated if called out on this. At times, and often in more advanced stages, patients might become lost on routine trips and have trouble recalling where they are or even how or why they got to a particular place.

3. Challenges understanding visual information
Challenges understanding visual and spatial information may crop up in patients with Alzheimer’s. For instance, it may become very difficult for them to judge distances (i.e., when driving), or they may suddenly have trouble reading and identifying different colors (i.e., maps). Patients may suddenly get lost driving to familiar places.

4. Memory loss
Memory loss is among the most common early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. The patient may begin to forget recent (or short term) information, such as appointments. They might also start to appear more forgetful than normal, forgetting important events or dates, asking similar questions again and again, and they may begin to rely on memory aids (i.e., calendars or post-it notes) more than ever before. At times, it may call on family members to get them to take medications and get to appointments on time.

5. Speech issues
Many patients with Alzheimer’s develop speech and writing issues. They may struggle with communication or have problems coordinating conversations. For instance, the patient may stop in the middle of a conversation and forget their train of thought. This often results in anger outbursts due to frustration.  Patients may also repeat themselves, have great difficulty recognizing common objects, or struggle with vocabulary often using incorrect words for familiar things.

If you or a loved one displays any of the above symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, please talk to your doctor immediately. Early treatment is often the best course to delay disease progression. Doctors will often prescribe a combination of prescription medication, cognitive therapies, lifestyle changes, and memory care supplements (in memory care supMemory loss) to support cognitive health.