Advertisement

10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease

ABOVE: Check out 16 x 9’s powerful feature “The Unspooling Mind”, featuring the personal story of Global National anchor Dawna Friesen

TORONTO – Here are 10 warning signs that may indicate Alzheimer’s disease and warrant a doctor’s checkup:

READ MORE: Women make up 72 per cent of Alzheimer’s patients

1. Memory loss that affects daily functioning: Most people forget things like names occasionally and recall them later; a person with Alzheimer’s may forget things more often and not remember them, especially more recent occurrences.

2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks: A person with Alzheimer’s may have trouble with long-familiar tasks, such as preparing a meal.

3. Problems with language: Everyone has trouble finding the right word on occasion; someone with Alzheimer’s may forget simple words or substitute words, making sentences difficult to understand.

Story continues below advertisement

4. Disorientation of time and place: It’s normal to forget the day of the week or one’s destination — for a moment. With Alzheimer’s, a person can become lost on their own street, not knowing how they got there or how to get home.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: What are the early warning signs and symptoms of dementia?

5. Poor or decreased judgment: A person with Alzheimer’s disease may wear heavy clothing on a hot day, for instance.

6. Problems with abstract thinking: People may sometimes have difficulty balancing a cheque book, for instance; someone with Alzheimer’s may have significant difficulty with such tasks, possibly not recognizing what numbers in the cheque book mean.

7. Misplacing objects: Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys; someone with Alzheimer’s may put items in inappropriate places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.

8. Change in mood and behaviour: While everyone experiences sadness and other moods on occasion, those with Alzheimer’s can exhibit mood swings — from calm to tears to anger — for no apparent reason.

READ MORE: Half of Canadians with dementia wait too long for diagnosis, Alzheimer Society warns

9. Change in personality: A person with Alzheimer’s can become confused, suspicious or withdrawn. Apathy, fearfulness or acting out of character may also occur.

Story continues below advertisement

10. Loss of initiative: Temporary loss of interest in activities can occur in most people; someone with Alzheimer’s may become passive, and require cues and prompting to become involved.

Source: Alzheimer Society of Canada.

———

Online: www.alzheimer.ca/en

Sponsored content

AdChoices