Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Diesease

Signs & Symptoms

Alzheimer's does not affect each person the same way. Sometimes early stage symptoms are mistaken for normal aging. Knowing the difference can help you get treatment sooner, before the symptoms become severe.

Normal Aging	Early Signs of Alzheimer's
Forgetting the names of people you rarely see	Forgetting the names of people close to you
Briefly forgetting part of an experience	Forgetting a recent experience
Not putting things away properly	Putting things away in strange places
Mood changes because of an appropriate cause	Having unpredictable mood changes
Changes in your interests	Decreased interest in activities

Alzheimer's Symptoms: Mild, Moderate, and Severe

Alzheimer's progresses in three stages over 8 to 10 years, on average, after diagnosis.

Mild
Moderate
Severe

People with mild Alzheimer's disease may:

Have memory loss and poor memory of recent events
Have trouble naming common items
Ask the same thing over and over
Get lost easily
Lose interest in things they once liked to do

Lose things more often than normal
Have personality changes
Be worried or depressed

People with moderate Alzheimer's disease may:

Have a hard time dressing for the weather or occasion
Forget to shave or shower
Argue more often
Believe things are real when they are not
Wander, often at night
Need close supervision
Have trouble with tasks such as washing dishes or setting the table

People with servere Alzheimer's disease may:

Have problems with eating
Have problems with speech or not speak at all
Not recognize you or other family members
Not be able to control bowels or bladder
Have problems with walking

As time goes by, Alzheimer's patients lose the ability to do everyday things. During the early stages of Alzheimer's, tasks such as talking on the phone or making a meal can become difficult. In the later stages of Alzheimer's, simpler things like getting dressed and eating can become hard to do.

Adapted from Galasko D, Bennett D, Sano M, et al. An inventory to assess activities of daily living for clinical trials in Alzheimer's Disease. Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders. 1997,11(2):S33-S39.

What to Watch For

Alzheimer's symptoms may not appear the same way in every person. The main thing you should watch for is a change from normal behavior in your loved one.¹ If you're seeing any unusual lapses in memory or if your loved one experiences uncharacteristic mood swings, make a special appointment to see the doctor.

Sharing with Family Members

You might find that some family members resist the idea that changes could be related to Alzheimer's disease. This is normal; it's a hard disease to face. If you are seeing Alzheimer's symptoms in a loved one, engage other family members early. If you take note of symptoms as a group, it might help everyone face the issue reasonably.

Here are some tips to help you talk to family members:

Tell them calmly that you are seeing changes that you think warrant a doctor visit. Ask if they would like to join you.
Keep a log of symptoms to share. Perhaps those who do not live near your loved one haven't seen evidence of changes. Or, conversely, those who live nearest may not notice symptoms as much since symptoms progress very gradually.
Explain that medication can help your loved one remain functional for longer than without medication. ARICEPT slows the progression of Alzheimer's symptoms. Starting Alzheimer's treatment earlier means you can start slowing symptoms sooner.
Being afraid of the diagnosis is normal. But keep in mind that receiving a diagnosis of dementia may be a relief. In one study, a diagnosis of dementia significantly decreased patient anxiety.² Getting a diagnosis can be empowering, and might help you make informed decisions to help your loved one.