Alzheimer Disease Awareness - Ten Signs from Right At Home High Point

November is National Alzheimer Disease Awareness Month. As you visit with your family members during this holiday season or provide in home care on a daily basis it is important to notice any changes in their personal behavior especially these top 10 warning signs, from the Alzheimer’s Association:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life

One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

What's typical? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems

Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

What's typical? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure

People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

What's typical? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

4. Confusion with time or place

People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

What's typical? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.

What's typical? Vision changes related to cataracts.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing

People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").

What's typical? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.

What's typical? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

8. Decreased or poor judgment

People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

What's typical? Making a bad decision once in a while

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities

A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

What's typical? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

10. Changes in mood and personality

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

What's typical? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

If your loved one is experiencing any or all of these symptoms, it is important to have them evaluated by their doctor as soon as possible.

Right At Home in High Point is here to help you manage your family member's care and provide peace of mind when you can't be there.

Phone 1: 336-760-7131
Phone 2: 877-760-7131
Fax: 336-760-3046
Email Us


Additional Alzheimer's Disease Resources (click on the titles to visit their sites):

Alzheimer’s Association - 877-IS IT ALZ

National Institute on Aging’s Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center –

ADEAR - Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center. U.S. National Institute on Aging.
ADEAR maintains information on Alzheimer’s disease research, diagnosis, treatments, clinical trials and federal government programs and resources. AD Lib, ADEAR 's literature database, has nearly 8,500 materials related to Alzheimer's disease that includes fact sheets, textbook chapters, journal articles, brochures, teaching manuals, directories, videos and other media, bibliographies, program descriptions, monographs, newsletters and reports.

Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI).
ADI is an international membership group of Alzheimer associations. The ADI site links to member association sites throughout the world. It also provides information in several languages, statistics on the number of people with dementia worldwide, and the implications for the distribution of research funding, especially in developing countries.

Alzheimer Research Forum
This Web site reports on the latest scientific findings, from basic research to clinical trials; creates and maintains public databases of essential research data and reagents; and produces discussion forums to promote debate, speed the dissemination of new ideas, and break down barriers across the numerous disciplines that can contribute to the global effort to cure Alzheimer's disease.

Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research
Fisher's site is a comprehensive portal for caregivers, family members, people living with Alzheimer's and the general public.

Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Center
The Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Center has easy to understand, practical in-depth information on Alzheimer’s and care-giving.

Web MD.com Alzheimer’s Health Center
This site has a broad range of information, with an emphasis on information for individuals who are concerned about memory problems or have Alzheimer’s disease.