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Understanding the Top Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Can Be Your Best Source of Detection

It is important to remember that early warning signs can include more than just memory loss, and that detection is one of the most powerful tools that people today have against Alzheimer's. We can all dream for a day where there will be a cure for Alzheimer's, but for those of us facing this disease today, paying attention to the warning signs is one of our most powerful tools for success.
By 

President & CEO of HealthCare Chaplaincy Network, Chairman of Alzheimer’s Global Initiative

President & CEO of HealthCare Chaplaincy Network, Chairman of Alzheimer’s Global Initiative
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Alzheimer's research recently made headlines again this week as the research team at Oregon Health and Science University got the green light to move forward with a new study, meant to help find early detection signs in Alzheimer's. This federally funded study has many excited about the possible improvements in early Alzheimer's detection, however conclusive results of this study are still far off.

While scientists are focusing on the future of Alzheimer's detection, care and treatment, there are still millions currently living with this disease today and thousands more getting diagnosed by the day. For these individuals, the importance is not in the future of Alzheimer's research, but in the present. For people today, worried about a possible Alzheimer's diagnosis either for themselves or their loved ones, early diagnosis is one of the most powerful tools they have towards slowing down the progress of Alzheimer's disease.

This is why everyone today, particularly individuals with elderly adults in their lives, know the top warning signs of Alzheimer's disease, how to spot them and when to contact a doctor for more information on dementia. The Alzheimer's Association published these warning signs to help the public take action when it comes to early detection.

  1. Disruptive Memory Loss: There is forgetfulness and then there is disruptive memory loss. Understanding the difference between the two can be the difference between spotting Alzheimer's and not. We all forget things from time to time but when memory loss impacts a person's ability to function normally, it becomes a problem. If you notice someone you love forgetting information they just learned, asking for the same information over and over again or relying on memory aids, there may be a problem.

  • Problem Solving Challenges: As we age, it is typical to have slips of the mind here or there, and to feel like we are not as sharp as we once were. However, when Alzheimer's may be at the root of these challenges, the issues become far more serious. Someone with Alzheimer's may have trouble following recipes or keeping track of bills, and concentrating on common tasks may become increasingly difficult.

  • Issues Completing Familiar Tasks: When someone is starting to have issues with completing tasks that are normally part of their everyday routine, Alzheimer's may be to blame. This includes forgetting the rules to a familiar game or forgetting the route home from work.

  • Time and Place Confusion: If someone is confused about the passage of time, or how they got to a certain location, this may be a sign of caution.

  • Challenges with Spatial Relations: One of the lesser known warning signs of Alzheimer's involves vision problems beyond standard cataract or aging issues. Typically these vision challenges include issues with judging distance or determining contrast between colors.

  • New Communication Problems: Traditionally, individuals with Alzheimer's have communication challenges. They may not know how to join a conversation, or may get lost and confused in the middle of one. Individuals who are experiencing these types of out-of-character challenges or who are struggling to write or speak as normal, may be facing something more serious.

  • Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps: We all lose and misplace things from time to time, and for most people the solution to finding their lost items is simple: retrace your steps. For individuals with Alzheimer's they tend to put things in unusual places, like their phone in the freezer and then find they are unable to remember how they got to that point, finding retracing their steps nearly impossible. One of the biggest warning signs with these challenges is that individuals may start accusing others of stealing their lost items.

  • Decreased Judgement: Changes in a person's decision making ability is a huge red flag. If a loved one is using poor judgement particularly in areas where they normally have good judgement, something else may be going on.

  • Social Withdrawal: Many times individuals with Alzheimer's struggle to do the things they love the most. This causes many individuals to start removing themselves from their favorite social activities or foregoing their favorite hobbies. Memory loss and confusion often makes socializing a challenge, causing these individuals to become more reserved.

  • Personality Changes: It can be alarming when a loved one with a certain personality suddenly changes their mood or attitude. When someone's personality changes or they become easily upset or agitated, and their actions seem out of character, many times it is a sign that dementia is forming.
    • It is important to remember that early warning signs can include more than just memory loss, and that detection is one of the most powerful tools that people today have against Alzheimer's. We can all dream for a day where there will be a cure for Alzheimer's, but for those of us facing this disease today, paying attention to the warning signs is one of our most powerful tools for success.

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