More than Memory Loss —The 10 Symptoms of Alzheimer’s You Should Know

Many of us experience occasional memory lapses, like forgetting someone’s name or where we left our keys. So how does someone know if their memory challenges—or other symptoms—should prompt them to seek a diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias?

The first step is understanding all the symptoms. While many forms of dementia are associated with memory problems, not everyone living with Alzheimer’s experiences obvious memory loss. There are numerous possible symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. If you notice any of them in yourself or a loved one, don’t delay. Schedule an appointment with your Primary Care Provider to discuss your concerns.

1—Memory Loss
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is forgetting recently learned information. This might include repeatedly asking the same question or forgetting important dates. However, not everyone living with Alzheimer’s exhibits this type of memory loss.

2—Challenges Making Plans or Solving Problems
Another sign of Alzheimer’s is difficulty creating and following a plan or working with numbers. This might become evident when someone struggles to manage bills or follow a recipe they’ve used for years.

3—Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
People living with Alzheimer’s or related dementias may find it hard to complete routine tasks. They might forget the rules of a card game, have trouble organizing a shopping list, or get lost while driving to a familiar location.

4—Confusion with Place or Time
Losing track of the date, season, or month is another possible symptom of Alzheimer’s. A person might also be unsure of where they are or how they got there.

5—Trouble Understanding Images and Spatial Relationships
Vision challenges are another symptom of dementia, making it hard to read; balance; or judge distances, color, and contrast. These issues can make activities like driving difficult or even dangerous.

6—Problems with Words
A person living with Alzheimer’s may struggle to follow or join a conversation. They might repeat themselves, stop mid-sentence, or forget common words. They may even call objects or people by the wrong name.

7—Misplacing Things
Someone with Alzheimer’s might put items in unusual places, like leaving a wallet in the freezer. They may find it difficult to retrace their steps to locate missing items, sometimes leading to accusations of theft.

8—Poor Judgment
People living with dementia may experience changes in judgment and decision-making. This could result in unwise financial decisions or neglecting personal hygiene.

9—Withdrawal from Socialization
As mentioned earlier, Alzheimer’s can make conversation difficult, causing some individuals to withdraw from work, hobbies, or social activities.

10—Changes in Mood or Personality
A person with Alzheimer’s or related dementias may become suspicious, anxious, fearful, depressed, or confused. They might also get upset more easily, especially when out of their comfort zone.

Know the Next Steps

Now that you know the signs, it’s time to consider the next steps. If you or someone you care about is experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your Primary Care Provider to talk. They might decide that a referral to Georgia Memory Net for diagnosis is the right next step. Remember, early diagnosis is key to optimizing quality of life, maximizing therapy options, and receiving appropriate care as soon as possible.

You can bring this referral form to the appointment to make getting a referral simpler. With a referral, you can either make an appointment for an in person or telehealth appointment.