Alzheimer’s can strike at any time, but it’s essential to recognize the warning signs of early Alzheimers before they become noticeable. Alzheimer’s can begin as early as your 40s or 50s, but symptoms typically don’t appear until age 60. The disease progresses slowly over many years.
People with Alzheimer’s experience memory loss and confusion, but their judgment and other mental skills remain intact for much longer than those of people with other forms of dementia. While you may think that you or a loved one is simply getting older, several symptoms could indicate an early form of the disease.
Difficulty Remembering New Information
You may notice that your loved one is having difficulty remembering new information. For example, if you were to ask your loved one about an event from the day before, they might not be able to recall it. This can be frustrating for the caregiver and the person with Alzheimer’s disease because it makes it difficult for them to have conversations or participate in activities together.
This happens because of decreased levels of acetylcholine in the brain, which causes a decline in memory function. Acetylcholine is responsible for carrying messages between neurons (brain cells) and helping people learn new things and retain old ones over time.
This chemical becomes less available as we age naturally or due to other conditions that affect our health negatively. And so does our ability to remember things.
Trouble Performing Familiar Tasks
The most common early signs of Alzheimer’s are trouble performing familiar tasks, such as finding a word or putting together an outfit. This can be difficult for loved ones to spot. It’s often something we take for granted in other people, like remembering what we put on this morning or knowing where a certain object is located.
For example, suppose you’ve noticed that your partner can’t find their keys anymore or has trouble remembering. This could be one sign of early Alzheimer’s disease.
Trouble Finding the Right Word
If you notice that your loved one has difficulty finding the right word, this could be a sign of early Alzheimer’s. The disease affects their ability to remember and use words in sentences. They may also start misusing words, such as saying “button” instead of “knob” or vice versa.
You can help your loved one by giving them an alternative word when they have trouble finding the right one. It will help them remember what they’re trying to say without feeling embarrassed or frustrated.
Problems with Vision or Spatial Relationships
You may notice your loved one struggling to see objects or people that are close. For example, they might have trouble reading small print or following a ball’s flight. They may also be unable to judge distances accurately, which could result in falls or accidents.
You’ve recently learned your loved one has an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The brain’s inability to process what it sees correctly likely causes this rather than any problem with their eyes.
Time and Place Confusion
A person with early-stage Alzheimer’s may be unable to tell you what day it is or where they are, even if they have been there many times before. They can also have difficulty understanding or following spoken instructions properly because they do not remember what they have heard. Time and place confusion may be caused by other medical conditions as well.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that affects the brain. It is one of the most common types of dementia, which causes memory loss and other cognitive problems. The earlier you recognize these symptoms, the better your chances are of getting treatment and slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in yourself or your loved ones.
