Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

A lot of us have been home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe you're interacting with your older relatives more than usual and you may be noticing some memory problems. If you're worried about somebody having an issue with their memory and want to have them checked, what are the top 10 warning signs that you should look for?

In this week's episode, you’ll learn about:
Alzheimer’s and/or other dementia/typical age-related changes.

Part One of ‘Ten Signs of Alzheimer's Disease’

The first question is, what is dementia? It's a broad umbrella term, meaning that many different symptoms go into this term. People are going to have difficulty with their memory. They're going to have trouble with language, but also problem-solving and executive planning.

Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that accounts for about 60 to 80 percent of the different dimensions that we see. The other dementias that are most common are Lewy Body Dementia and Vascular Dementia. Those types of dementias tend to appear a little bit differently.

You may have one type or a mix of things, particularly if you have high blood pressure or you've had many strokes in the past, and you may have Alzheimer's, you may have a combination of Alzheimer's type dementia and vascular dementia. For the most part, these symptoms are pretty similar.

“They may tell you the same story or they may have difficulty finding the right word.” — Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FAAN (09:10-09:15)

Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
Warning Sign: Forgetting important dates, repetitive, need more memory aids than before.
Normal aging: Sometimes forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later.

Challenges in planning or solving problems.
Warning Sign: Trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of paying monthly bills.
Normal aging: Making occasional errors balancing a checkbook.

Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or play.
Warning Sign: Trouble organizing a shopping list or trouble driving to a familiar place.
Normal aging: Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show

Part Two of ‘Ten Signs of Alzheimer's Disease’

Confusion with time or place
Warning Sign: Forget where you are or how you got there.
Normal aging: Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
Warning Sign: Trouble judging distance
Normal Aging: Vision changes related to cataracts, glaucoma, or age-related macular degeneration

New problems with words in speaking or writing
Warning Sign: Trouble following conversation or forgets where they are in a story
Normal aging: Sometimes having trouble finding the right word

“These are only warning signs. They are not diagnostic.” — Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FAAN (16:04-16:05)

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Warning Sign: Put things in usual places, accuse others of stealing
Normal aging: Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them

Decreased or poor judgment
Warning Sign: Less attention to grooming; giving away large amounts of money
Normal aging: Making bad decisions once in a while

Withdrawal from work or social activities
Warning Signs: Starts to remove themselves from activities, social activities, or hobbies
Normal aging: Sometimes feeling weary of work, friends, and social obligations

Changes in mood or personality
Warning Sign: Confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. Upset when out of their comfort zone
Normal aging: Developing very specific ways of doing things, and become irritable when the routine is disrupted

About Melissa

[robbiethepict]

My father has the disease and had to go into a care home. I visited him once a week with the family photo album, and it helped him hold on to his memories. Then pandemic I couldn't see him for 18 months. He can't remember me now, but he remembers the photos. He still has feelings and he will always be my hero.

[peterwright]

I visited my mother in the dementia unit a few years before she died. We talked about her childhood which she remembered quite well. When I said I was leaving she said “well I don’t know who you are but thank you so much for visiting me”. She retained her sweet personality until the end. I am grateful for that.

[julietpask]

My mum never forgot who I was just where I belonged in her life. The cruellest illness ever as you can't put a date on when you lost them.

[donaldbeard]

My precious mother was in early stages of dementia at nursing home and I was blessed to see her almost every day. She passed away in September 2012 a few days after my older brother. I shed more tears that year than all my life before. Thank you Lord God for loving me and blessing me with my mother and older brother Amen

[LordZontar]

My mother had about four of those warning signs to varying degrees, mostly on/off though. Short-term memory problems did start cropping up toward the end, but she was aware she was having difficulties in that area. She largely remained able to take care of herself, converse intelligently and manage living in her apartment, and her visual problems were wholly age-related and her hearing remained excellent, but it was becoming increasingly apparent that she was reaching a stage where she couldn't live independently anymore. Originally my plan was to get her more involved with people and activities, then COVID hit and I didn't dare take the risk of exposing her to that as at her age COVID would have been a death sentence. Quarantine definitely was not good for her at that point but it beat the alternative. I had started planning for moving in to take care of her when the day after Christmas a year and a half ago she fell and couldn't get herself back up. She just couldn't get her legs to work for her and I took her to the hospital. Two days later she crashed mentally. A month of physical therapy failed to restore any ability to walk so I took her home and with the help of a hospice company stayed with her as her full-time caregiver. A month after that she was dead. Toward the very end I had difficulty getting her to swallow food and water, like she had forgotten how, and the hospice nurses who visited daily told me to concern myself only with her palliative medications at that point. I woke up one morning and found she had simply slipped away in her sleep. She had still retained awareness of herself and of people and things around her, and still knew who I was up to the end, at least she hadn't died with her mind completely melted away. It had happened fairly quickly and she still had some dignity when the end did come.

[whipchick]

My Dad was diagnosed with early dementia in his late 60's. I was with him at the VA when they were testing him, and a doctor took me alone in a room to ask about him. He questioned me for an hour and a half! My Dad ended up dying at 74 of a heart attack before it really set in. He was still living in his own apt and taking care of himself when he died. It was probably a blessing in disguise.

[olgatellomorrow]

I'M 71 YEARS OLD AND I LIVE ALONE, VERY CONCERN, MUST MY FRIEND PAST AWAY, ONLY FEW FRIENS.AND ALSO OLDER THAN ME. I'M TRYING TO MOVE BACK TO MY COUNTRY WICH MAKES ME VERY SAD I LOVE AMERICA. I DON'T WANT TO DIE ALONE IN MY HOME. ITS VERY SAD GETTING OLDER. I DO HAVE A LOT OF THE THING YOU MENTION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFO.😍

[doublejake.]

Both my parents have dementia, Dad is 87; Mom 81 I’m their son and I do everything for them, cook, clean, yard work, shopping, you name it. I’m constantly disrespected by my Dad, I have many dark days. I often wonder how the hell I am going to get through this. Dad was a fighter pilot, Mom was a high school teacher. Both of those people are gone.

[writemyselfaletter]

I'm a 79 year old male so naturally have an interest in anything you have to say about warning signs relating to Alzheimers. During a 35 year career I made hundreds of presentations. Your presentation here is excellent with just one exception. You will dramatically improve your communication if you post the ten bullet points on the screen as you present, either all ten at the beginning or start with #1 and add each bullet point as you get to it.

[sandraglunt]

My mother started with the rate early onset of 50. The gereatric doctor thought she may have slipped into it from the depression following my father's sudden death. Her cognitive thinking remained excellent for many years as she was also very intelligent but couldn't remember minutes prior. She died at the age of 71, having had early onset, long duration. Sadly my sister is now following the same path! I am 74 and so far no symptoms! Alziemer disease is the cruelest of diseases; it robs you of yourself and results in a slow death! God be with all of us!

[chriskelly]

In my nightmare of dementia I have a magic Angel. My daughter was caring for me long before I even understood I had issues. Sad it's happening but I am blessed that I can continue to love and laugh

[howardmanley]

I’m in my late seventies now, my former father- in law has this now, And He doesn’t remember me at at all .He’s 81 now, it’s so sad we had to stop him from driving because He would get lost all the time and we would have to go get him. It’s very difficult to have any type of meaningful conversation with Him also.. God help us all navigate through End of life journeys...✅

[dejonsmall]

My mother didn't know who I was 99% of the time. Many times I cried on the way home because it hurt so much, however she knew my wife every time she saw her. They both had the same birthday. For two years my brother, sister and I did the watch before we had to put her in a facility as it got too much for us. I was relieved when she passed. June 14 was 4 years ago. She was 82. I wouldn't wish this disease on my worse enemy...

[lexfip]

Thank you kindly for this presentation. Although both my parents had different forms of dementia, I continue educate myself on any and all current updated information on this dreadful disease. My Mother lived until 102 however, the first noticeably signs were approximately mid to late seventies. The painful part in all of this was her not knowing who I was for the better part of twenty years.
I now know why it's called "the long goodbye"

[memee]

Thank you. This is so helpful, and I love how you explain that some things are just normal things that happen to all of us.

[cybergenK]

Thank you. This is so informative and such a relief in stopping my paranoia getting the better of me.

[Passion]

I appreciate the Heads Up! I'll start paying more attention.. Thanks again!!

[jeanlennox]

My husband has been diagnosed with dementia and the amazing thing is he appears more relaxed and happier now than when he was younger. I believe that is because he has relinquished all responsibilities and nowadays has no worries. He knows he has dementia but he only laughs at his bad memory!

[lyndamitton]

You are a very big help! Thank you for understanding some of the clues telling us that things are changing,
and helping us get prepared! I hope my kids see this video ‘cause I think I’m on the road there!

[leandrobaluyotjr]

Very informative ! The narrative is clear and precise and easy to understand even for a lay person like me.Thank you and more success to your personal & professional endeavors Ms.Melissa B!