The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s and Dementia By: Lauren Livingston – The Alzheimer’s Association encourages families to know the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia. If you know the signs, you’ll be able to get treatment sooner, which can help provide some relief of symptoms and help maintain independence longer. Unfortunately, African Americans are two times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than older white Americans and are more likely to be diagnosed in the later stages of the disease. There is also evidence that missed diagnoses of Alzheimer’s and dementia are more common among older African Americans than among older whites. Missed or delays in diagnosis mean that you or your loved ones are not getting treatments when they are most likely to be effective at improving quality of life. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. If you notice any of the 10 warning signs in yourself or a family member, don’t ignore them. Speak up, and encourage your loved one to schedule a visit with their doctor. These are the 10 warning signs, and you can learn more by visiting alz.org/10signs: 1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking for the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own. 2. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Some people living with dementia may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. 3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks. People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game. 4. Confusion with time or place. People living with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. 5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations. For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving. 6. New problems with words in speaking or writing. People living with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 21
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