Know the 10 Warning Signs of
Alzheimer’s Disease
By: The Coalition of NYS Alzheimer’s Association Chapters
G
iven that almost 400,000 people in New York State have Alzheimer’s disease (AD), it’s important for healthcare facility
staff to be aware of the disease’s warning signs. It may be hard to know the difference between age-related changes and
the first signs of Alzheimer’s. To help identify problems early, the Alzheimer’s Association ® has created a list of warning signs for
Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Individuals may experience one or more of these in different degrees.
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s, especially
in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned
information. Others include forgetting important dates or
events, asking for the same information over and over,
and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g.,
reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members
for things that were handled independently. What’s
a typical age-related change? 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 a typical age-related change?
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, they may have trouble driving
to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or
remembering the rules of a favorite game. What’s a
typical age-related change? Occasionally needing
help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a
television show.
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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 a typical age-related
change? 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, which may
cause problems with driving. What’s a typical age-related
change? Vision changes related to cataracts.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
People with AD 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 a typical age-related change?
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Spring 2017
(Continued)