Alzheimer's disease is a chronic, incurable brain disorder characterized by slowly progressive loss of mental functioning. The gradual onset of Alzheimer's causes subtle changes in mental capacity that often go unrecognized or may be mistakenly attributed to normal aging. Signs of Alzheimer's disease include disturbances in daily function that reflect deteriorating brain function. The National Institute on Aging estimates that as many as 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease.
Short-Term Memory Problems
Memory is a complex and often imperfect function. All people are subject to occasional memory lapses. A person with Alzheimer's disease, however, has significant problems with short-term memory, a brain function required for recalling recent events and learning new tasks. Short-term memory problems are often the first sign of Alzheimer's disease, notes "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals."
A person may make an appointment and forget that he has done so. He may call again to make the same appointment or fail to attend without recalling the appointment, even after it becomes apparent it has been missed. New acquaintances may be forgotten--not simply the person's name, but lack of recall for having met previously. A person may take a trip to the store, only to forget what she needed to buy. Repetitively asking the same question with no recollection for having done so may serve as a clue to short-term memory impairment.
Problem-Solving Difficulties
A person with Alzheimer's disease typically has newfound difficulty with problem solving. A person may have difficulty calculating an appropriate tip on a restaurant tab or struggle estimating the total cost of the items in his grocery cart. Difficulty balancing a checkbook is a common problem, the Mayo Clinic says.
Difficulty Completing Usual Tasks
The loss of cognitive functioning associated with Alzheimer's disease often manifests with difficulties performing tasks that were previously completed easily, notes the National Institute on Aging. A man who routinely changes the oil in his car may struggle to recall how to start the task or forget steps in the process. Baking a familiar recipe may take an inordinate amount of time as the cook struggles to recall what ingredients are needed and in what order. Family members may notice that routine tasks seem increasingly difficult and take much longer to complete than they had.
Misplacing Items
Inattention and memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease frequently cause people with the disorder to misplace items in odd places, the Alzheimer's Association says. A person may put his car keys in a food cupboard or put the dish soap in the refrigerator. The tendency to misplace items is complicated by a decreased capacity to retrace recent activities to determine when the lost item was last seen. A person with Alzheimer's disease may complain that others have taken or moved misplaced items.
References
- National Institute on Aging: Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet
- Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, Signs and Symptoms
- MayoClinic.com: Alzheimer's Disease, Symptoms
- National Institute on Aging: The Seven Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease
- Alzheimer's Association: Know The 10 Signs
