Alzheimer's Disease

1) Memory Loss - Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs. However, it is considered normal for a person to forget names or appointments occasionally, so a distinction needs to be made between what is normal and what is becoming a more frequent trend of forgetfulness.

2) Difficulty performing familiar tasks - Forgetting the steps involved with preparing a meal, or forgetting how to do everyday tasks, like dialing phone number. However, it is usually considered normal for a person to occasionally 'lose their train of thought' or forget what you planned to say.

3) Problems with language - People affected by Alzheimer's may forget simple words and may try to replace them with unusual words.

4) Disorientation to time and place - People with Alzheimer's may go out for a walk in their own neighborhood and get lost a block from their house.

5) Poor or decreased judgment - People with Alzheimer's may go out into the freezing cold with very little clothing on, or may become very bad at managing their money. Alzheimer's sufferers often give away their money to strangers or telemarketers.

6) Problems with abstract thinking - Alzheimer's sufferers may not be able to do math or use numbers like the once could. Things like balancing a checkbook may become very difficult or impossible.

7) Misplacing things - People with Alzheimer's may put items in inappropriate places. They may put their wallet or purse in the freezer, or a bracelet in the toaster.

8) Changes in mood or behavior - Alzheimer's sufferers may show rapid and obvious mood swings. However, everyone's moods can change from one day to the next, and as we get older, so a distinction may be hard to make.

9) Changes in personality - Alzheimer's sufferers may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member.

10) Loss of initiative - Alzheimer's sufferers may become extremely passive and lose interest in previous passions or hobbies.

More about the warning signs of Alzheimer's here

I remember a neighbor growing up who lived just down the street from me. He was an elderly gentleman, but he was always doing interesting things. He was an ex-army fellow, so he was neat, particular, and organized. He had a wood shop in his garage, and was always building something beautiful with wood. Every day you could hear the buzzing of his saws and the whirring of his drills.

Every day like clockwork, "Mr. Parker" would go for a walk. "Mr. Parker" had an adorable puppy that would tag along, and every day they would take the same route past our house, up into the woods behind the cul-de-sac we lived on, and then he would return in about an hour. My friends and I would always be playing in the street as he walked by. "Mr. Parker" never failed to say "Hello David" with a smile.

I remember that as time went on, I noticed less noise coming out of his wood shop. I though that he was probably just busy, and didn't have time for it. I also noticed that his walks were not every day any more. Sometimes when I did see him, he seemed not quite as happy, and somewhat disheveled. He used to say "Hi David" when he walked by, it was now "Hello" with not much enthusiasm.

Not much later, I realized that I hadn't seen "Mr. Parker" in several months. I started to wonder how he was. I didn't think much of it. I soon learned that "Mr. Parker" had gone out for a walk one day and didn't return. He got lost on a route that he had done every day for years. When he was found, confused and scared, he was taken to a doctor. He learned that he had Alzheimer's disease.

That was the first time I had learned about this horrible illness - as a kid relating to an elderly neighbor. The most striking thing to me was the abrupt change in schedule - after all, this was an obsessively organized ex-army officer. Once I learned more about the disease, the symptoms he displayed were all too obvious. Unfortunately, they weren't obvious to him or those who knew him best. - by David Besnette

MYTH: Alzheimer's disease is only something older people get. THE TRUTH: Alzheimer's can affect people in their 30's. Did you know that over a half million people in the US under the age of 65 have Alzheimer's or related dementia?

I have heard the phrase "Midz-heimer's Disease" used jokingly to describe middle-aged people who are forgetful. Unfortunately, this phrase has more truth to it than most people realize.