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No Grandma is not crazy for calling you by your sisters name or forgetting the kettle on the stove, this is old age and normal, but Alzheimer's disease is not. Normal forgetfulness is commonly confused for signs of Alzheimer's disease, but when every 72 seconds someone develops the disease, you can never be too sure. The evident signs are just that, evident; complete loss of memory about an expierence, or ever having known a particular person. But ironically the less noticable effects are, the more damaging. Early in the disease, the person may still behave appropriately in social situations, leading others to believe that the person is not ill. The quicker a person identifies the onset of the disease, the more efficiently it can be treated. The signs included are many but not all.

* Firmly held false beliefs (delusions), such as that someone is stealing from the person.
* Seeing or hearing things that aren't really there (hallucinations).
* Lack of interest in surroundings or activities, or withdrawal from family and friends.
* Purposeless activity, such as opening and closing a purse, packing and unpacking clothing, pacing, or repeating demands or questions.
* Verbal and physical aggression.
* Inability to control impulses, which may lead to unusual or inappropriate actions. Men are somewhat more likely than women to exhibit behavior problems such as wandering, abusiveness, and social impropriety.

Learn more about this author, Judith Martin.
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