Identifying Symptoms
It’s normal for our brains to change as we age. This may mean sometimes forgetting things, taking longer to process information, or having trouble with multitasking. These changes typically do not affect our ability to do daily activities independently.
If you or your loved one notices symptoms of memory loss, thinking, or judgment that are affecting daily activities, it’s important to voice these concerns to a doctor. The doctor can perform tests that may help identify the cause, but keep in mind that these symptoms may not be due to Alzheimer’s disease. If it is confirmed to be Alzheimer’s, an early diagnosis can give you and your family time to start building a support network and making lifestyle changes to maintain your or your loved one's overall health.
Signs of Alzheimer's and Other Dementias vs Aging*
The information below compares the signs of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias with typical age-related changes. If these signs and symptoms begin to affect daily activities, it may be time to voice these concerns to a doctor.
Symptoms Quick Links:
*This list is designed to show examples of how signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's and other dementias may differ from normal aging. It is not a complete list of signs and symptoms.
Memory loss that affects daily life
Signs of Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias
- Forgetting recently learned information
- Forgetting important dates/events
- Asking the same questions over and over
- Needing to use memory aids such as notes or electronic devices
Typical Age-Related Changes
- Sometimes forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later
Difficulty planning or solving problems
Signs of Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias
- May have problems following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills
- Difficulty concentrating
- Taking much longer to do familiar tasks
Typical Age-Related Changes
- Occasionally making errors when managing finances or household bills
Difficulty completing routine tasks
Signs of Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias
- Finding it hard to do daily tasks, such as making a grocery list
- Trouble driving to a familiar place
- Difficulty remembering rules of a favorite game
Typical Age-Related Changes
- Sometimes needing help with new technology, such as with a cell phone or recording a TV show
Confusion with time or place
Signs of Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias
- May lose track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time
- Trouble understanding something if it is not happening right away
- Forgetting where you are or how you got there
Typical Age-Related Changes
- Confused about what day of the week it is but remembering later
Trouble with visual-spatial relationships
Signs of Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias
- Losing one's way in a familiar place or on a familiar route
Typical Age-Related Changes
- Losing one's way in an unfamiliar place
Decreased or poor judgment
Signs of Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias
- May experience changes in decision-making, such as having poor judgment when dealing with money or paying less attention to personal grooming
Typical Age-Related Changes
- Making a mistake once in a while, like forgetting to pay a bill
New speaking and writing problems
Signs of Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias
- May have problems following a conversation
- May have problems with vocabulary, finding the right word, or calling things by the wrong name
Typical Age-Related Changes
- May have trouble finding the right words
Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps
Signs of Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias
- May sometimes put things in unusual places
- May lose things and can’t go back to find them
- May accuse people of stealing things they can’t find
Typical Age-Related Changes
- May misplace things sometimes but able to retrace steps to find them
Withdrawing from work or social activities
Signs of Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias
- May stop doing hobbies, social activities, work projects, or sports
Typical Age-Related Changes
- May sometimes not wish to be part of family, work, or social events
Mood and personality changes
Signs of Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias
- Changes in mood and personality
- May become confused, anxious, and depressed or upset at home or work, with friends, and in places where they don’t feel comfortable
Typical Age-Related Changes
- May develop specific ways of doing things and become irritable when this routine is not followed
Early Detection
Find out why it's important to get diagnosed earlier rather than later for Alzheimer's disease.