Brain & Nervous System Alzheimer's Symptoms 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease By Esther Heerema, MSW Esther Heerema, MSW Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Esther Heerema, MSW, shares practical tips gained from working with hundreds of people whose lives are touched by Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 22, 2021 Medically reviewed by Isaac O. Opole, MD, PhD Medically reviewed by Isaac O. Opole, MD, PhD LinkedIn Isaac O. Opole, MD, PhD, is a board-certified internist and a current teaching professor of medicine at the University of Kansas. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is an umbrella term for a decline in cognitive (thinking and memory) skills. According to the Alzheimer's Association, if you observe any of the 10 warning signs of dementia discussed below, you should contact your doctor. You should consider doing so because: Those symptoms may be a sign of a condition similar to dementia that could potentially be reversed if treated. There are many benefits of early detection of dementia. This article explores the signs of Alzheimer's disease to look out for. It also examines the difference between this type of dementia and typical age-related changes. 1 Memory Loss PASIEKA Science Photo Library / Getty Images The most common warning sign is memory loss that interferes with daily life. This includes: Difficulty remembering recent events or informationIncreased need for written notes to recall informationIncreased reliance on family membersRepeated requests for the same information What it's not: Occasionally forgetting something like where you placed the car keys. While memory loss may be what comes to mind when thinking of Alzheimer's disease, there are other signs to look out for as well. 2 Withdrawal From Usual Activities Jupiterimages / Photolibrary / Getty Images Apathy, or a lack of interest, and withdrawal from people and activities can be signs of early dementia. Examples include no longer following a favorite sports team, not wanting to spend time with treasured grandchildren, giving up a favorite hobby, and skipping get-togethers with good friends. What it's not: Needing a longer break between activities or sometimes feeling overwhelmed. 3 Confusion With Time or Place Wavebreak / Vetta / Getty Images With Alzheimer's disease, disorientation is a common symptom. It may include: Not knowing what season or year it isNot knowing your locationNot understanding why you're in a certain location As Alzheimer's progresses, some may believe they are younger than they really are because of an unawareness of time passing. What it's not: Wondering what the date is and checking the calendar. Alert and Oriented x1, x2, x3, and x4 in Dementia 4 Visual-Spatial Difficulties kali9 E+ / Getty Images Visual-spatial changes are another warning sign of dementia. These may include: Difficulty judging distances correctlyHaving a hard time recognizing familiar faces or objectsFinding it challenging to interpret images Activities like using the stairs, climbing into a bathtub, finding your way home, or reading a book may become more difficult. What it's not: Gradual vision loss due to macular degeneration or cataracts. Examples of Visual Spatial Problems in Dementia Patients 5 Decrease in Written or Verbal Communication Glow Images Glowimages / Getty Images Some changes in communication that are major warning signs of dementia include: Finding it hard to come up with the right wordDifficulty writing your thoughts down clearlyFinding it difficult to understand othersHaving a hard time expressing yourself What it's not: Occasional difficulty finding the right word. When Should You Worry About Word-Finding Difficulty? 6 Challenges With Problem-Solving and Planning Hill Street Studios / Getty Images With dementia, abilities that involve planning, flexible thinking, control, memory, and organization tend to decline. These abilities are known as executive functions. A decline in executive functioning may look like: Difficulty balancing your checkbook and getting the bills paid on timeFinding cooking recipes hard to follow even if you've made them beforeTaking longer to make coffee in the morning If you notice these changes in yourself or someone you love, contact your physician for an assessment. What it's not: One or two mistakes in your math calculations. How Executive Functioning Is Affected by Dementia 7 Personality and Mood Changes Westend61 / Getty Images Has your normally easygoing family member become irritable and fearful lately? Or, did they have an overreaction when something minor changed in their routine? A shift in mood and behavior over the last several months is a warning sign that the brain may be going through some changes. If this is the case, consider getting an evaluation for dementia. What it's not: Becoming a little more set in your ways and disliking change. Personality Changes in Alzheimer's and Dementia 8 Misplacing Items Frequently Jeffrey Coolidge / Getty Images With dementia, keeping track of things may be incredibly difficult. Not only might things be misplaced, but the process of looking for the item can end in frustration and confusion. What it's not: Losing your keys and later remembering you set them down on the piano. 9 Decline in Judgment REB Images / Image Source / Getty Images If you've noticed a pattern of poor judgment lately in your loved one, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a physician. Examples of poor judgment may include: Repeatedly getting tricked by phone scams and giving money awayNot dressing appropriately for the weatherDriving in an unsafe way What it's not: The occasional questionable decision. How Poor Judgment Can Be a Sign of Early Dementia 10 Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks Adam Gault OJO Images / Getty Images Getting lost on your way home from the grocery store or difficultly doing the job you've had for 20 years are warning signs of Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia. It's important to recognize that this doesn't refer to learning something new. Instead, this is a change in the ability to do something you've always been able to do until now. What it's not: Difficulty using the new television remote control. 11 Summary These are 10 major warning signs of Alzheimer's disease. Some include memory loss, apathy, confusion with time and place, poor judgment, and a decline in planning and organizing. If you think you or a loved one are showing signs of Alzheimer's disease, it's important to speak with a doctor. 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring. 2017;7(1):24-32. doi:10.1016/j.dadm.2016.12.012 By Esther Heerema, MSW Esther Heerema, MSW, shares practical tips gained from working with hundreds of people whose lives are touched by Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit