May 2002

Warning Signs of Alzheimer's by Kitty Weber

    A survey sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association showed that many people are unable to identify the symptoms of the disease. 

"Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease."
It's normal to forget a name, deadline or task. But frequent forgetfulness or unexplainable confusion at home or at work may be a signal that something’s wrong.
A person may leave something on the stove too long or not remember to serve part of a meal. People with Alzheimer’s might prepare a meal and not only forget to serve it, but also forget they made it.
Everyone has trouble finding the right word at times, but those with Alzheimer’s may forget simple words or substitute inappropriate words, making their sentences incomprehensible.
Someone with Alzheimer’s may dress inappropriately in obvious ways, such as wearing a bathrobe to the store or several blouses on a hot day.
Everyone experiences a wide range of emotions, but people with dementia tend to exhibit more rapid mood swings for no apparent reason.
While balancing a checkbook is challenging for most people, someone with Alzheimer’s has trouble recognizing numbers, and adding and subtracting may be impossible.
People’s personalities are relatively stable over time. But a person with Alzheimer’s can change dramatically, either suddenly or over time. For example, someone who has always been easygoing may become angry, suspicious or fearful.
Loss of initiative. It’s normal at times to tire of housework, job demands or social obligations, though we eventually regain interest. People with Alzheimer’s Disease may remain uninterested and uninvolved.

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Kris Jenkins jenkinsk@missouri.edu Regional Specialist Human Environmental Sciencs Last revised: 07/21/08