The neurodegenerative disorder Alzheimer’s disease affects 11.5% of over-65s in the United States, slowly changing how they think, remember, and function.
While memory loss is the most recognizable symptom, Alzheimer’s can cause many subtle changes before it becomes severe. Recognizing the early warning signs allows patients and families to seek help sooner and explore treatments that can slow the condition’s progression and improve quality of life.
At Memphis Neurology, our specialists help patients understand, diagnose, and manage Alzheimer’s disease with compassionate, expert care. Here are our top five early warning signs:
Occasional forgetfulness is normal; everyone misplaces keys or forgets a name now and then. However, frequent memory loss that affects daily life could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.
People developing Alzheimer’s disease often forget recently learned information, important dates, or events. They may repeatedly ask for information they’ve already received or rely heavily on reminders and family members for tasks they used to handle independently.
For example, forgetting a doctor’s appointment once in a while isn’t alarming, but repeatedly missing scheduled visits or forgetting what month it is can signal something more serious.
If you or a loved one notices this pattern, it’s essential to consult a neurologist. Early memory testing and imaging studies can help detect Alzheimer’s before it progresses further.
Another early warning sign involves trouble with planning, reasoning, or working with numbers. Someone who once easily followed a recipe may suddenly struggle to measure ingredients or remember steps. Paying bills or balancing a checkbook might become confusing.
People may also find concentrating hard or taking much longer to complete familiar tasks. These changes can cause frustration and anxiety, especially when others notice mistakes. We use cognitive testing to assess attention, memory, and problem-solving skills to help identify early cognitive decline.
Everyone occasionally forgets what day it is, but someone with Alzheimer’s may lose track of dates, seasons, or even where they are. They might forget how they got somewhere or think they live in a different decade.
Disorientation like this can lead to safety concerns, such as wandering or getting lost in familiar places. It can also cause emotional distress, making the person anxious or fearful when the surroundings seem unfamiliar.
Recognizing these changes early gives families time to plan for safety measures and support services. We can also determine whether other conditions, like medication side effects or small strokes, may contribute to confusion.
Alzheimer’s affects memory and mood, and it can also change personality. Once cheerful people may become withdrawn, irritable, or anxious. They might seem suspicious of friends or family members or become easily upset when routines change.
Depression and apathy are common early symptoms. A person may lose interest in hobbies or social activities they once loved. These emotional changes are not simply a normal part of aging. They often reflect changes in brain chemistry caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
We understand how emotional changes can impact both patients and caregivers. Our team offers comprehensive care, including counseling and support resources, to help families navigate these challenges.
Alzheimer’s can affect the brain’s ability to interpret visual information, even when vision is normal. This can make reading, judging distance, or recognizing faces more difficult.
People might have trouble determining color contrast, making driving or walking safely more challenging. For instance, they might not notice that a step is ahead or mistake a patterned floor for an obstacle.
If you notice these vision-related changes in yourself or someone close to you, seeing a neurologist is vital. Advanced diagnostic imaging can help determine whether Alzheimer’s or another neurological condition is the cause.
While there’s currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, early diagnosis can make a significant difference. The sooner we detect the condition, the more time patients and families have to plan for the future, explore care options, and access community support.
Treatments such as medications, cognitive therapy, and brain-healthy habits can help manage symptoms and slow dementia’s progression. We provide up-to-date, evidence-based care and guidance on proven lifestyle changes, including staying mentally active, maintaining a balanced diet, and exercising regularly to preserve cognitive function.
If you or a loved one has noticed memory changes, confusion, or unusual behavior, don’t wait to seek help. Contact Memphis Neurology by phone or online to inquire about an early Alzheimer’s disease evaluation and benefit from care that supports health, independence, and dignity.
