Alzheimer's Disease is a type of dementia that usually affects people in their 60s, and older. This disease kills brain cells making it hard for neural signals to be transmitted properly. Mental deterioration is slow and it is not always obvious that someone has developed Alzheimer's. Some warning signs/symptoms to watch out for include, but are not limited to, memory loss, misplacing objects, and having difficulty with daily tasks and abstract thinking.

Memory loss and misplacing objects

We've all been there. You are looking for your keys or your slippers and can't remember where you left them. As long as the misplaced items are in "normal" places then you have nothing to worry about. Everyone misplaces things from time to time. Misplacing objects becomes a cause for concern when you are leaving things in strange places. Examples include leaving your glasses in the refrigerator or your wristwatch in the sugar bowl.

Occasionally forgetting names or appointments is normal, especially if you remember the forgotten information later. Memory loss becomes an issue when you forget things more often than you used to and when you have trouble recalling information that is really well known. Frequently forgetting names of family members or close friends is not normal and is usually a symptom of Alzheimer's. Asking the same question ten times, especially if it is in a short time span, isn't normal either.

It is easy to shrug off some of these things as age related forgetfulness. After a person has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's family members may think back and realize that these occurrences were warning signs. In looking back you might think "I remember her asking me when was I going to have kids five times in one phone conversation" or "She forgot her friend's name when she introduced us". Occurrences like this should be noted just in case it is indicative of the disease. If it happens frequently a doctor should be consulted.

Difficulties with daily tasks and abstract thinking

We all sometimes forget why we went into a room or what we were about to say. It's easy to get distracted or lose our concentration sometimes. Having difficulty performing familiar tasks becomes an issue when you can't remember how to perform tasks that are second nature. Using the TV and doing the laundry are things that you do on a daily or weekly basis. When these tasks become difficult or you forget how to do them there is cause for concern.

People with Alzheimer's also have problems with abstract thinking. Complex mental tasks become too hard for them. They can forget what numbers are and what they mean. If you begin to have trouble balancing a checkbook you may need to be evaluated for Alzheimer's. One way to check if abstract thinking is being affected is to count backwards from 75 by 7s. Not being able to do this exercise is a symptom of the fourth stage of the illness.

If you are concerned about someone you love having Alzheimer's call a doctor and schedule an appointment. A doctor can run neurological tests as well as psychiatric and medical ones to determine if Alzheimer's may be present.

For more information you can check the Alzheimer Association website at alz.org.

Learn more about this author, Veronica Beaudry.
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