Early signs of dementia

How do you know if someone has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia? The answer is not so easy.

The Alzheimer’s Association lists the following early signs and symptoms to watch for. If you notice any of these, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider.

Memory loss that disrupts daily life

Forgetting recently learned information, important dates or events, and asking the same questions repeatedly.

Challenges in planning or solving problems

Difficulty following a plan or working with numbers.

Difficulty completing familiar tasks

Completing daily tasks is difficult.

Confusion with time or place

Losing track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. The person may forget where he or she is or how they got there.

Changes in mood & personality

Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious.

Decreased or poor judgment

Using poor judgment (eg, dealing with money or paying less attention to grooming).

Trouble understanding visual images & spatial relationships

Changes in vision, which can affect balance or reading.

New problems with words in speaking or writing

Trouble following or joining a conversation.

Misplacing things & losing the ability to retrace steps

Putting things in unusual places, losing things, and not being able to recall actions to find them. Accusing others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.

Withdrawal from work or social activities

Difficulty following a conversation and withdrawing from hobbies, social activities, or other engagements as a result.