Wondering where your glasses are when just moments before you placed them on top of your head, forgetting about an appointment…you know the drill. You might have an overwhelming to-do list and as a result get distracted and overlook a task. Common memory malfunctions are part of being human and happen to us all from time-to-time, but what if your memory issues go beyond occasional forgetfulness? A sharp memory is invaluable, and if it starts to fade can be devastating. Testing your risk and understanding how to prevent memory loss is possible and empowers you to make changes that can preserve your memory function for years to come.
WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE VS. DEMENTIA?
Dementia and Alzheimer’s are often used interchangeably, but they are different. Dementia is an umbrella term for neurodegenerative disorders that impair memory and cognitive function. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for about 60-80% of all cases. Alzheimer’s Association
statistics are staggering: More than 6 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease and that number is expected to jump to about 13 million by 2050.
Educating yourself on the early warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s can be really helpful in understanding more about the disease and your individual risk. Keep an eye out for the following.
15 WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
1. Your memory is not as sharp as it was 10 years ago.
While declining memory is not always a sign of dementia or Alzheimer’s and can be a normal part of aging, it’s good to notice more significant changes in your memory functioning and keep track of how often it’s happening.
2. You read a book or an article but don’t remember much of it.
Research in
Brain and Language suggests that reading comprehension declines in people with dementia and should be monitored. By itself, having difficulty remembering what you read could be a sign of
other issues, but it’s important to rule out Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia if it’s happening frequently, over a period of time.
3. Your vocabulary is getting worse.
You might notice a shift in recalling words when you’re describing something or telling a story. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, it is common to forget the right word or even a person’s name with whom you’re familiar.
4. You’re having trouble remembering to consistently take medications or supplements.
A
study in the
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society noted that people who suffer from dementia—even in the early stages of the syndrome—can forget to take medications. Of course, this is potentially dangerous and requires the right kind of care and support, as well as proper diagnosis.
5. You frequently misplace your keys or phone.
Your life may be full and your calendar booked every day for the next month. It’s easy to be forgetful in the midst of a busy lifestyle; however, if you notice a pattern of misplacing important items that you use every day, take note of this and consider how other areas of your life might also be affected by forgetfulness.
6. You often wonder why you came into a room.
How frustrating is it when you walk into a room and wonder what you’re doing there? You try to backtrack and remember what you needed or were going to do, but you just can’t recall. Be careful to note if this is happening consistently as it is a symptom of compromised memory function.
7. Decreases in decision-making or judgment.
Data from a
2016 study show impaired decision-making in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. While there are subtleties in the types of decision-making and judgment that are compromised, overall this type of behavior can be really difficult to live with and potentially dangerous if it involves safety issues such as driving a car.
8. You’re embarrassed by forgetting appointments.
You’re casually enjoying lunch with a friend when you get a phone call from your doctor’s office. You excuse yourself and take the call, only to find out your annual eye exam was scheduled at the same time as your lunch. While on the call, the doctor’s office scheduler reminds you this had happened a couple of weeks back as well when you forgot about that appointment, and you have no recollection of scheduling either exam. You’re baffled but also alarmed that you’ve forgotten not just a single appointment but rather several of them.
9. You have problems with physical balance.
A
study conducted in 2016 suggests that those who tested low on physical performance such as walking and “standing balance” were more at risk of developing dementia. While compromised balance can occur for myriad reasons that need to be ruled out, it could be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia and should be investigated thoroughly.
10. You struggle to keep track of time and dates.
Something as simple as remembering what day of the week it is can prove challenging for those with Alzheimer’s disease. Various researchers have studied this specific symptom of cognitive decline, and a
peer-reviewed study in the journal
Technology in Dementia Care noted that people with dementia can become more disoriented with the construct of time as the condition worsens.
11. You get lost and have trouble driving to familiar locations.
Many years ago before GPS systems were readily available, drivers relied on a map book called the Thomas Guide. Since all maps couldn’t fit on one page, there was a lot of moving around page-to-page to connect the dots of a route. It was confusing for many but definitely got the job done if you were lost in an unfamiliar part of town. Nowadays we have the technology to help us with unfamiliar routes, but when the territory is familiar and you still feel confused about where you’re going, it could be a sign of Alzheimer’s.
12. You have trouble completing daily tasks, such as difficulty paying bills.
In a
National Institute on Aging article, it’s stated that
problems handling tasks such as bill paying can be the first noticeable sign of Alzheimer’s disease. As the disease progresses, people might not open bills and other mail and have funds missing from their accounts for no clear reason, with an inability to recall where the money went.
13. Social withdrawal.
If you were once a social butterfly and have noticed that you’re less enthusiastic or uninterested in being with people, it could be due to a number of factors. However, if this is becoming more pronounced in your life and occurring in conjunction with other symptoms listed in this article, it could be connected to Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
14. Changes in mood or personality.
The person you once were seems to have gone away. For example, if you had an easygoing temperament and were mostly quiet, then over time find that you’re easily angered or overwhelmed by external stimuli (i.e., loud noises or crowded places), it could be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
15. Having to rely on electronic reminders.
There is
robust data that show memory aids and reminders are helpful for those with diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, but if you’ve yet to be properly diagnosed it can be tricky to implement this kind of tool. Of course, you have to remember to use the electronic aid for it to work, but if you notice that you can’t remember what your schedule is without checking (and re-checking) your calendar, there could be a bigger issue at hand than just mild forgetfulness.
While many of the symptoms noted might not be a sign of Alzheimer’s on their own, grouped together they could be indicators of a memory issue that needs further attention. It’s important to assess any
underlying causes of memory problems, many of which are treatable with the right care. A
Memory Rescue plan can help you overcome many common causes of forgetfulness. Before deciding the best plan of action,
memory assessments are helpful in determining the next steps. Help, support, care, and repair can be made for people suffering from memory loss.
Memory loss and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
