For individuals who suspect themselves or their loved ones to have Alzheimer’s, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms. It is important to distinguish what is normal and what might be an early indication of the disease. Below is a list that differentiates between the two. It would be normal for an individual to sometimes forget where they place their car keys; a sign of Alzheimer’s would be if an individual starts placing important items in peculiar places. As we grow older, it is also normal to sometimes forget random names or words; in Alzheimer’s the individual forgets names of their family members and objects that are very common. We can also sometimes forget minor conversation details, while Alzheimer’s patients tend to forget entire conversations. If we are not up for lively activities, we tend to cancel functions or dates with friends, but for individuals with Alzheimer’s, they tend to withdraw totally from usual interests. Alzheimer’s patients will also lose their way even in familiar places, while regular people might miss a turn or two.

Here are the top ten warning signs that an individual is suffering from Alzheimer’s. First, the loss of memory suffered by the individual affects their daily life. This is by far the most common sign of Alzheimer’s. Individuals tend to forget important or recent information; they tend to ask the same information repeatedly. The second is experiencing difficulty in simple problem solving. Individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s may have problems following a cooking recipe or keeping track of bills. They will tend to take more time doing things than they did before. The third sign is individuals having difficulty in completing easy and familiar tasks at work or at home. Another sign is when an individual becomes confused with the time or place. Individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s can lose track of time, dates and even seasons. They might also sometimes forget where they are and how they got there. Some individuals may also have trouble reading or judging the distance of objects. Alzheimer’s patients may have trouble speaking or writing. Some will stop in the middle of a conversation and not know how to continue or may repeat what they just said. Individuals will start having trouble with their vocabulary and have problems looking for the right words to use. Alzheimer’s patients will also start to misplace their things or put them in unusual places. As their disease progresses, they will start to have a decrease in their judgment and decision making. They will start to pay less attention on keeping themselves groomed. Another sign is the withdrawal from social activities that they would normally take part in. They’ll have trouble keeping track of their favorite sports and hobbies. They’ll start to withdraw and avoid social interaction. Lastly, they’ll experience mood swings and changes in personality. They’ll start getting easily upset at work, at home or with friends and family.


Try to keep track and watch out for signs of Alzheimer’s in your loved ones. When you suspect your loved ones of developing Alzheimer’s, go to a doctor and get a definite diagnosis. It is important to have early detection and to start treatment right away.