Symptoms of Alzheimer's
The common behaviors that someone with Alzheimer's might exhibit due to effects from the disease.
Disease Progression
Mild
At this stage, someone in the early stages of Alzheimer’s can still function independently, but will start to have memory lapses and forget familiar things. Recognizing that this might be early onset dementia will allow for an early diagnosis and therefore early treatment, as well as making legal preparations for end of life plans. Symptoms during this stage include not being able to remember recent events, behavior or personality changes, confusion, loss of ability to concentrate, losing the ability to complete everyday tasks, and becoming secluded from family and friends.
Moderate
At this stage, someone with moderate Alzheimer’s will start to need more daily assistance as self-care becomes more difficult. Symptoms include increased confusion, poor decision making, greater memory loss, needing assistance in daily activities such as getting dressed or going to the bathroom, increased agitation and suspicion, and sleep troubles.
Severe
During this stage, people will experience an increasing mental decline and physical decline and need consistent assistance. Symptoms during this stage include losing the ability to communicate with others, lost ability to eat or go to the bathroom, lost control of bladder and bowels, lost physical ability to walk, lost ability to keep head and/or swallow, and being more susceptible to infections.
The 10 warning signs are common behaviors that someone who is developing dementia might present. If you or others recognize these warning signs in someone, it might be time to bring them to a medical professional
THE WARNING SIGNS
1) Memory loss that disrupts everyday life
This includes but is not limited to forgetting important dates and people, needing to memory devices like post it notes or reminders for simple tasks, not being able to learn new information, and more.
2) Challenges with following a plan and problem solving
This could be following easy recipes or having to take longer on everyday activities than what is normal.
3) Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Examples of this would be making grocery lists or driving to a familiar place.
4) Confusion
This could present as losing track of time, not knowing where one is, or getting confused in familiar places like the grocery store or at home.
5) Vision Problems
Appears with troubles in depth perception, determining color contrasts, and balance.
6) Lost ability to speak or write normally
This could be calling familiar objects the wrong name and not being able to follow a conversation.
7) Losing items
8) Poor judgement
This could include having bad hygiene or saying inappropriate things.
9) Being Antisocial
This could appear as not wanting to spend time with friends and family and not participating in conversation.
10) Changes in mood or personality
Common examples of this are becoming more suspicious of random things, being depressed, fearful, or angry.