As many as 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s Disease http://www.publicspark.com/2008/03/24/what-you-need-to-know-when-your-loved-one-has-alzheimers-disease-part-i/. Recognizing warning symptoms is an important step in getting treatment for a loved one who may have Alzheimer’s disease. After recognizing symptoms, it is important to consult with a physician.
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Memory Loss
While everyone forgets a name or a task, frequent forgetfulness with confusion is a sign that something is wrong.
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Difficulty performing normal and familiar tasks
For example, making a complete dinner (which is a nightly occurrence) and then forgetting to serve it.
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Difficulty with language
People with Alzheimer’s forget simple words and substitute inappropriate words, making it hard to understand what they are saying.
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Disoriented to time and place
People with Alzheimer’s disease don’t know where they are, how they got there, or how to get home.
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Poor judgment
People may lack common sense of even self-care. For example, going out to the cold weather wearing a bathrobe.
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Difficulty with abstract thinking
Recognizing numbers or performing elementary math may be impossible.
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Misplacing things
While we all may misplace keys or other things, people with Alzheimer’s may file away all kinds of items and not know where they are.
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Changes in mood or behavior
Those with Alzheimer’s disease may display inappropriate emotion changes for no reason. Some may even have a blank or vacant look.
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Changes in personality
Alzheimer’s patient’s personality can change dramatically over a short period of time.
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Loss of initiative
While everyone loses interest and wants to reduce responsibilities once in a while, those with Alzheimer’s may never regain that interest.
