Storm Warning: the Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease
by
Brenda S. Parris

This article was previously published in Suite101 on October 1, 2001.

Alzheimer's disease involves much more than memory loss. Most of us tend to be a bit forgetful as we grow older, especially with our hectic lifestyles and our wearing of many hats at work and at home. We have to write appointments on our calendar, to keep lists for shopping and other to-dos, and still we may occasionally forget a meeting, appointment, assignment, or deadline. We may have trouble finding the right word or remembering a person's name. All of this, as well as misplacing keys and other things, are examples of normal forgetfulness that we all experience.

    The Alzheimer's Association has listed ten warning signs of Alzheimer's that are common to Alzheimer's and other dementias:

  1. Memory loss that affects job skills.
  2. Difficulty performing familar tasks.
  3. Problems with language.
  4. Disorientation to time and place.
  5. Poor or decreased judgement.
  6. Problems with abstract thinking.
  7. Misplacing things.
  8. Changes in mood or behavior.
  9. Changes in personality.
  10. Loss of initiative.

We may experience one or more of the above from time to time, but the person with Alzheimer's has all or most of the above symptoms at times, in varying degrees according to the stage of progression of the disease. Occasional forgetfulness is normal, but frequent forgetfulness and unexplained confusion at work may be a signal of Alzheimer's or another dementia. We all may forget at times when performing familiar tasks, for example letting something we are cooking burn. But the person with Alzheimer's might forget to serve, or to eat, a complete meal. It’s normal to forget where we've parked the car at the mall, but the person with Alzheimer's may forget how to get back home after shopping. We may make the mistake of not bringing a sweater or coat on a cold day, but the person with Alzheimer's may be totally unaware of the weather and wear something completely unapproapriate for the season or the occasion. Balancing a checkbook may be challenging for some of us, but for the person with Alzheimer's it may be impossible to recognize numbers, much less to do mathematical calculations. All of us experience a broad range of emotions, and our personalities may change as we age, but the person with Alzheimer's may experience rapid mood swings and dramatic personality changes for no apparent reason. We all grow tired of our activities at times, but the person with Alzheimer's may totally lose interest in something previously enjoyed. The Alzheimer's Association advises "If you have several of these symptoms, you should see a physician for a complete examination."

The diagnosis of Alzheimer's today is not the hopeless forecast that it has been in the past. There are new medications that will postpone the more advanced symptoms and allow the patient to function more fully. I am amazed at all the early-onset Alzheimer's patients I've met on the Internet are able to accomplish with their Web sites and online support groups. And there is so much hope for the future, hope for newer and better medications, better methods of diagnosis, and even preventative measures. Recognizing the symptoms and having getting that complete examination are all important as the earlier the diagnosis, the greater the hope, and the better both patient and caregiver can be prepared for the approaching storm.

"Ten Warning Signs" from the Alzheimer's Association Web site. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs


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