What are the Most Common Symptoms of Dementia Alzheimer's Type?
1. Memory loss. Forgetting recently learned
information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A
person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the
information later.
What's normal? Forgetting names or appointments
occasionally.
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
People with dementia often find it hard to plan or complete everyday
tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps involved in preparing
a meal, placing a telephone call or playing a game.
What's normal? Occasionally forgetting why you came
into a room or what you planned to say.
3. Problems with language. People with
Alzheimer’s disease often forget simple words or
substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to
understand. They may be unable to find the key, for example, and
instead ask for "that thing to lock the door."
What's normal? Sometimes having trouble finding the
right word.
4. Disorientation to time and place. People
with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost in their own neighborhood,
forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to
get back home.
What's normal? Forgetting the day of the week or
where you were going.
5. Poor or decreased judgment. Those with
Alzheimer’s may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a
warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor
judgment, like giving away large sums of money to telemarketers.
What's normal? Making a questionable or debatable
decision from time to time.
6. Problems with abstract thinking. Someone
with Alzheimer’s disease may have unusual difficulty performing
complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are for and how
they should be used.
What's normal? Finding it challenging to balance a
checkbook.
7. Misplacing things. A person with
Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places: an iron in the
freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.
What's normal? Misplacing keys or a wallet
temporarily.
8. 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.
What's normal? Occasionally feeling sad or moody.
9. Changes in personality. The personalities
of people with dementia can change dramatically.
They may become extremely confused, suspicious,
fearful or dependent on a family member.
What's normal? People’s personalities do change
somewhat with age.
10. 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.
What's normal? Sometimes feeling weary of work or
social obligations.
NeuroPsychConsultant
