Alzheimer's is a form of degenerative dementia. Dementia is a chronic, progressive deterioration of the brain, according to "Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing" by Kathy Neeb. Early-onset Alzheimer's affects people 65 or younger, states the Mayo Clinic.
Alzheimer's disease worsens over time, with early onset possible as early as in a person's 30s or 40s, says Neeb. The Mayo Clinic states the disease is rarely found in a person younger than 40, but 50 percent of people 85 or older have the disease. There are physical changes in the brain that occur when a person develops Alzheimer's, but an autopsy is currently the only way to confirm the disease. The symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's are much the same as later onset, but there are a few aspects that usually only accompany the early-onset form.
Memory Loss
Memory problems are usually the first symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. In most people, the symptoms do not appear until age 60 or later, says the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Some people with a mild case of Alzheimer's also have mild cognitive impairment (greater amount of memory problems than a normal person at their age level), states the NIA. Memory loss increases with the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Symptoms of memory loss can include repeating questions, getting lost in familiar places, misplacing items or putting things in odd places and taking longer to complete activities of daily living.
Poor Judgment
A person affected by Alzheimer's disease loses the ability to make sound judgments, says Neeb. The person may begin to mismanage money, such as paying the bills incorrectly or forgetting how to balance a checkbook. The person may also neglect personal hygiene because they believe themselves to be clean and wear the same clothes over and over. Making irrational decisions is also a symptom, says Neeb. Losing relationships and being fired happens frequently in a person with early-onset Alzheimer's disease because the diagnosis of the illness is missed, says the Mayo Clinic. If the illness is correctly diagnosed, sometimes the person can continue working, but with simpler tasks or a lighter workload.
Behavioral Changes
Behavioral patterns that are disruptive or out of normal character can also be a symptom of early-onset Alzheimer's disease, according to Neeb. Loss of intimacy with a spouse or partner is sometimes an indicator, according to the Mayo Clinic. Relying on others to make decisions or answer questions a person would typically answer himself is also a warning sign of Alzheimer's. Additional symptoms are delusions, paranoia and combative behavior, according to NIA.
References
- National Institute on Aging
- National Institute on Aging: Seven Symptoms of Alzheimer's
- "Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing"; by Kathy Neeb; 2006
- The Mayo Clinic: Alzheimer's Disease
