Understand warning signs of Alzheimer's

Take heed of the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's:

•Loss of memory. The person forgets recently learned information and starts forgetting more often.

Normal: Occasionally forgetting names or appointments.

•Performing everyday tasks is difficult. The person may not remember the steps involved in preparing a meal or making a telephone call, for instance.

Normal: Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you were going to say.

•Problems with language. Forgetting words for everyday objects. Asking for "the thing for my mouth" when looking for a toothbrush, for example.

Normal: Sometimes stumbling to find the right word.

•Time and place disorientation. Becoming lost in your own neighborhood, forgetting where you are and how to get home.

Normal: Not remembering the day of the week or where you were going.

•Poor or decreased judgment. People with Alzheimer's may dress in layers on a warm day or wear little clothing when it's cold. They may give away large sums of money or show other signs of poor judgment

Normal: Making a questionable decision occasionally.

•Problems with abstract thinking. Having unusual difficulty with complex mental tasks, such as how to use numbers.

Normal: Having problems balancing a checkbook.

•Misplacing things. Putting things in unusual places: the iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl, for instance.

Normal: Temporarily misplacing your keys or wallet.

•Changes in mood or behavior. Someone with Alzheimer's disease may show rapid mood swings—from calm to tears to anger—for no apparent reason.

Normal: Occasionally feeling sad or moody.

•Changes in personality. The personalities of people with Alzheimer's, a form of dementia, can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member.

Normal: People's personalities do change somewhat with age.

•Loss of initiative. A person with Alzheimer's disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities.

Normal: Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations.

Change in memory is normal as we grow older, but the warning signs of Alzheimer's disease are more than simple lapses in memory.

People with Alzheimer's experience difficulties communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning—problems severe enough to have an impact on work, social activities and family life.

No clearcut line exists between normal changes and the warning signs of Alzheimer's. Check with your doctor.

Taken from www.alz.org.