Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, is a progressive and fatal brain disease currently affecting as many as 5.3 million Americans, according to the Alzheimer's Association. While no cure exists, treatments are available to help slow its progression. Receiving early treatment remain a key element for Alzheimer's patients--to do this; people must first recognize the symptoms.
Early Memory Loss
Memory loss that interferes with the person's ability to function remains one of the earliest and most common signs of Alzheimer's. The person may forget important dates such as their wedding anniversary or forget information recently told to them. Another sign is constantly asking the same question repeatedly in a short period of time.
Planning and Problem Solving
The Alzheimer's Association explains that as the disease progresses, following a specific work plan becomes difficult for them and they begin to lose their ability to concentrate. Following recipes they know and are familiar with presents a challenge, and their inability to manage monthly bills becomes evident. HelpGuide adds that tasks such as driving and ordering food for themselves at a restaurant can become difficult as well.
Problems With Time and Place
One of the later symptoms of Alzheimer's; many patients at this point often have problems with time, place and date. When in their home, they forget this and wonder where they are and how they got there. They do not understand that an event taking place at that precise moment is a current event and often relate it to an event in the past, such as their childhood.
Difficulty With Words
During this stage, which occurs as one of the end stages of the disease, Alzheimer's patients have a problem with both verbal and non-verbal communication. When trying to have a conversation with them, they may find it difficult to find the right word, or trail off during the conversation and be unable to join back in. Repeating themselves proves common, and they become unable to remember close family members including their spouse and children.
The physical effects of the disease become evident at this point, as they often require assistance with bathing and dressing. Loss of bowel and bladder control can also occur at this juncture of the disease.
Inability to Function
The final stage of Alzheimer's brings an inability to communicate at all, with the exception of cries or moans. In many cases, the person become bedridden. When they do walk, they require assistance from at least one person. Complete help becomes necessary for all functions of daily living such as dressing, bathing and eating, and the systems of the body begin to shut down which eventually leads to death.
