7 Early Signs
of Alzheimer’s Disease to Watch For
Occasional forgetfulness is common with aging. Alzheimer’s disease is different because memory and thinking problems progressively interfere with everyday life.
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life — repeatedly asking the same questions, forgetting recently learned information, or relying increasingly on notes and reminders.
- Difficulty planning or solving problems — trouble following a familiar recipe, managing bills, or handling tasks that were previously routine.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks — getting confused while driving a familiar route, using household appliances, or carrying out a regular activity.
- Confusion about time or place — losing track of dates, seasons, or where they are.
- Problems with words or conversations — struggling to find familiar words, repeatedly losing the thread of a conversation, or using unusual words for common objects.
- Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps — putting objects in unusual places and becoming unable to work out where they went.
- Changes in judgment, personality, or behavior — unusual financial decisions, reduced awareness of personal safety, withdrawal from social activities, or marked changes in mood or personality.
One important point
Having one of these signs does not mean someone has Alzheimer’s. Depression, medication side effects, sleep disorders, hearing or vision problems, thyroid disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, infections, and other medical conditions can cause similar symptoms.
If memory or thinking problems are new, persistent, or getting worse, arrange a medical evaluation. Earlier assessment can identify treatable causes and, when appropriate, allow earlier treatment and planning.
Sudden confusion or sudden changes in speech, strength, vision, or balance are not typical “early Alzheimer’s”—seek emergency care because they can indicate a stroke.
