Early Signs of Alzheimer’s: What Caregivers Should Look For

As our loved ones age, it’s natural to worry about their health and well-being. One concern that often arises is the possibility of Alzheimer’s disease. For family members who may become caregivers, recognizing the early signs of Alzheimer’s is crucial for providing timely support and planning for the future.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a collection of conditions that affects someone’s memory, thinking, and behavior. The disease causes protein buildup, cell damage, and other issues that gradually damage the brain.

A good way to understand how Alzheimer’s affects people is to think of the brain as a network of highways. The damage Alzheimer’s causes creates roadblocks that disrupt the flow of information needed for people to remember something, communicate, and complete other cognitive abilities.

This damage grows in severity over time, progressively affecting people in a way that makes changes difficult to recognize. People with Alzheimer’s typically go through four different stages as the disease progresses:

• Preclinical stage – The period when a person begins to develop Alzheimer’s. These changes in the brain can last for years and occur long before they show any signs of Alzheimer’s.
• Early stage (mild) – The period when people show signs of Alzheimer’s and are mild enough that they may be mistaken for natural aging.
• Middle stage (moderate) – The period when initially mild symptoms worsen and physical signs, such as wandering off and trouble with sleep, become more prominent.
• Late stage (severe) – The period when an individual needs help with many or all activities, loses their ability to hold conversations, and isn’t aware of their surroundings.

At What Age Do People Typically Show Signs of Alzheimer’s?

The National Institute of Aging reports that more than 6 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s. Most of these people are seniors, with the Mayo Clinic estimating that 70% of individuals with Alzheimer’s are at least 75 years old. 

While signs commonly begin to appear when someone is in their 60s or later, early-onset Alzheimer’s accounts for roughly 5% of total cases. People who suffer from early-onset Alzheimer’s can start showing symptoms as early as their 30s.

10 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the difficult parts about spotting Alzheimer’s is that it affects everyone differently. Just as every person is unique, the signs of Alzheimer’s can vary from one individual to another.

Another challenge is that some signs may seem like normal aging at first. Occasionally forgetting someone’s name or making a questionable decision isn’t an immediate red flag. Instead, look out for repeated issues that are making a direct impact on the quality of your loved one’s life (and how it affects others close to them). Common warning signs for Alzheimer’s include:

• Memory loss that affects day-to-day life – Forgetting recently learned information, important dates, and other details that start causing problems in your loved one’s daily life.
• Sudden mood changes – Easily becoming confused, upset, anxious, or suspicious without much warning.
• Difficulty with speaking or writing – Troubles following conversations, recalling certain words, and changes in handwriting.
• Difficulty concentrating, planning, and problem solving – Problems with staying organized and on task, such as being unable to follow a recipe or create a to-do list.
• Inability to complete familiar tasks – Difficulties with something your loved one regularly did, such as driving to a known destination.
• Visual problems – Struggles with perception, such as judging how far away something is or having difficulty reading. 
• Confusion about time and place – Commonly losing track of what day it is, how much time has passed, or even the current season.
• Frequent loss of items – Regularly putting objects in unusual places or trying to find something and being unable to retrace their steps.
• Withdrawal from social activities – Avoiding social activities, interactions, and hobbies that they previously enjoyed.
• Poor judgment – Making questionable decisions that seem out of character, such as bad financial investments.

What to Do if Your Loved One Shows Signs of Alzheimer’s

It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional once you notice any out-of-character behavior that aligns with any of these signs. An early diagnosis can help your loved one receive the care and support they need to improve their quality of life. 

If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the combination of the diagnosis and the new caregiving responsibilities can feel overwhelming. But remember, you’re not alone. Close friends and family can help take some of this work off your shoulders so that you don’t suffer from caregiver burnout. There are also different forms of professional support to help ensure that your loved one gets the care they need to live their best life.

• Memory care communities – Specialized form of long-term care designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
• Private-duty caregiving – Individualized support for loved ones in the early stage of Alzheimer’s who need support in their own home.
• Hospice care – End-of-life care that provides comfort and improves quality of life for individuals in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s.

Trying to find the right support for your loved one with Alzheimer’s? Find a community that’s close to you or give us a call at 844-465-6063 to talk to one of our friendly staff members today.

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