Pat Summit is usually in the news for being the winningest coach in college basketball history. But she is in the spotlight now because she was recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. The publicity surrounding her diagnosis has caused many people to wonder whether their forgetfulness is part of normal aging or is a sign of Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) has published the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s. These may help you decide whether or not the concerns you have about your own cognitive functioning or that of a loved one may warrant further attention:
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
Alzheimer’s is known to disrupt the hippocampus, a part of the brain that plays an important role in memory. One of the early signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially loss of memory for recent events or recently learned information. People may forget important dates or event; or ask the same questions over and over again or repeat the same information in conversation many times. People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may also begin to rely on memory aids such as lists, notes, etc.
What’s normal? Forgetting the occasional name or appointment, but being able to recall the information
later.
2. Difficulty in planning or problem solving.
Family members may notice that a loved one has new difficulty managing a checkbook or
working with numbers in any way. People sometimes develop trouble sequencing – for instance, losing the ability to following a series of steps in a recipe or follow the directions on a new device or gadget. They may also have difficulty with concentration and it may take longer to do things than it did before.
What’s normal? Making errors in the checkbook on occasion or moving more slowly due to arthritis, illness, or fatigue.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or during leisure activities.
A person in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may begin to develop difficulty with tasks such as
driving, completing their work, or remembering how a game is played. They may appear
confused and then quickly cover up with humor or a self-deprecating remark.
What’s normal? Needing help learning a new gadget or the rules to an unfamiliar game.
4. Confusion with time or place.
People with Alzheimer’s often begin to lose track of time and cannot remember dates or do not notice the changing seasons or the passage of time. They may also forget where they are going or how they got somewhere.
What’s normal? Many people who are retired don’t pay attention to the date but know the month and year. They may not remember the exact date but can guess within a day or two.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
Some people may find difficulty with vision to be an early sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have trouble maneuvering the car into the garage or gauging distance when driving or parking. People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may also find they are having difficulty reading and may not recognize themselves in a mirror.
What’s normal? Older adults sometimes have vision problems related to cataracts or other medical conditions, but they do not forget what they look like or appear surprised when they look in a mirror.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing.
It is not uncommon for a person in the early stages of Alzheimer’s to withdraw socially because they are having difficulty following a conversation. They may forget what they are saying mid-sentence or may feel self-conscious if they tend to repeat themselves. Word finding or word substitution is also common (“that thingy you put in your mouth” for toothbrush, for instance).
What’s normal? Some word-finding difficulty is common among older adults.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
Sometimes people with Alzheimer’s “lose” things because they put them in an unfamiliar place. For instance, someone might put their wristwatch in the freezer or their keys in the sugar bowl. It is not uncommon for people with Alzheimer’s to think others are stealing their things because they have so much difficulty finding objects.
What’s normal? We all misplace things occasionally or become absent-minded when we have too much going on.
8. Changes in judgment.
People with Alzheimer’s may begin to have difficulty with judgment or decision-making. They may not be able to resist the impulse to give money to telemarketers and may believe they are going to “win” a large prize if they do. People sometimes begin to neglect their hygiene as well.
What’s normal? We all make bad decisions once in awhile, but for the most part we are able to take care of ourselves and hang up on the telemarketers.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities.
It is not uncommon for people with Alzheimer’s to begin to withdraw from interactions at work or social events for several reasons. They may have difficulty following a conversation or may be trying to cover up difficulty performing familiar tasks. Many people in the early stages know something is amiss and are trying to keep this information hidden from other people.
What’s normal? We all go through periods when we are less interactive and need time to ourselves.
10. Changes in mood or personality.
One of the early signs of Alzheimer’s is a change in a person’s mood or personality, They may become paranoid, confused, fearful, depressed, or anxious. They may become easily distressed in unfamiliar environments.
What’s normal? Being unhappy when a familiar routine is disrupted.
If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone you love, consult your physician and
request a full medical workup along with a neuropsychological evaluation. A good
neuropsychologist can determine whether or not your pattern of test scores is
consistent with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other dementia.
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