The Subtle Signs of Alzheimer’s Everyone Over 50 Should Watch For
Lately, I’ve noticed that more friends, even those in their early 50s, are joking about “senior moments”. For some, you can hear real worry under the humor. I have friends whose parents are suffering from Alzheimer’s and it’s a terrifying illness.
The reality is no one wants to miss the early signs of the illness, especially those who have watched a parent or grandparent go through dementia. It can rock a family as someone loved suddenly cannot remember who you are, who they are, and all that love they once showed suddenly flips. It’s heartbreaking.
One friend told me her mother drove to a grocery store she has used for 20 years and suddenly could not remember where she was. She was later found wandering the neighbourhood with a basket, unaware and thoroughly panicked.
Memory changes are common as we get older, and many of those changes are simply part of aging. Misplacing your keys once in a while or blanking on a name, then remembering it later is not a reason to panic.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, though, an estimated 6.9 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, which means this disease touches a lot of families. That makes it worth knowing the difference between “normal forgetfulness” and “something feels off.”
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly damages memory, thinking skills and, later on, the ability to handle daily tasks like paying bills or getting dressed. The National Institute on Aging notes that it is the most common cause of dementia in older adults.
In this condition, brain cells are gradually damaged and lost. Over time, the changes reach areas that control language, judgment, behavior and movement, not just memory. There is no cure right now, but doctors do have treatments and strategies that can help manage symptoms and support independence for longer when the disease is spotted early.
How symptoms build over time
Professionals often describe Alzheimer’s as a slow continuum instead of a single moment when someone “gets” the disease. As the Mayo Clinic put it, symptoms usually start mildly then worsen over several years.
Early on, a person may have more trouble remembering recent conversations, appointments or new information, while long-ago memories feel mostly intact. WebMD reported that people in these early stages may still function well at work and at home, but friends and family start to notice subtle slipups.
Later, difficulties often spread into everyday aspects of life, from planning a meal to managing money, and even keeping track of medications. The Alzheimer’s Association website notes that people may misplace items in strange places, struggle with words and repeat questions more often.
In the more advanced stages, many people eventually need help with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, eating and moving safely around the home. At that point, full-time care is usually necessary, whether from family, hired caregivers or a memory-care facility.
What else could these symptoms be?
Normal aging can cause slower recall and some occasional forgetfulness. The CDC lists much more frequent confusion, losing track of time or place and problems completing familiar tasks as warning signs that may point toward Alzheimer’s or another dementia, rather than routine aging.
Other health issues can affect memory and thinking. Depression, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, medication side effects and sleep issues are just a few examples. Only a health care provider can sort through all of that and decide what is really going on, which is why self-diagnosing at home isn’t reliable.
Five questions to walk through
The following questions aren’t a replacement for a diagnosis. Look at them like a simple checklist to help you decide if you need to speak with your doctor.
1. Notice how often you forget things
The first question to ask yourself is: how often do I misplace items?
Are you missing appointments, repeating the same questions over and over, or similar actions? Everyone forgets sometimes, so you should make notes when forgetfulness happens many times each week. Especially when it’s disrupting your daily life.
The key is whether this forgetfulness is new for you. If you have always had moments and the pattern hasn’t changed too much, then its less of a concern. However, if you run a household, business, or busy schedule, and patterns of forgetfulness are starting to repeat, make notes and speak to your doctor.
2. Look at moments of confusion
The second question to ask yourself is: Am I having moments of confusion more often than usual?
Some people say that moments of confusion feel like a heavy foggy feeling in their mind. It could be simple confusion like losing track of which day it is, a familiar route in the car, or a movie’s plot making absolutely no sense to you – despite everyone else around you understanding it. These are small things and potentially nothing at all.
The key is to make notes of when these things happen and identify if the frequency is increasing. For example, how many times this week have you walked into your kitchen to do something, and then couldn’t remember why you walked in.
I read that confusion about time, place or familiar tasks is one of the common early warning signs tied to Alzheimer’s and related dementias. If these moments are increasing or lasting longer than usual, put a few exclamation marks next to these events in your notes and let your doctor know about them.
3. Watch your mood and personality
The third question to ask yourself is: Has my personality and mood changed for no reason?
One area I was unaware of when it came to the impacts of Alzheimer’s is mood and personality change, but it makes sense. For those who have suffered long-term stress, elderly caregiving, and other life-altering events after 50, know that life can change mood quickly.
That said, sudden or strong shifts in personality that aren’t easily attributed to life-changes, deserve attention. For example, maybe you were once patient and even-tempered, but all of a sudden your patience is thin and you’re snapping at everyone. Or even simpler, you’re feeling overwhelmed more often.
Alz.org notes that changes in mood and personality, such as new anxiety, fear, depression or anger, often appear as dementia progresses. If the people close to you are saying “You just don’t seem like yourself lately,” it is worth listening to.
4. Think about your social life
The fourth question to ask yourself is: Have I pulled back from social events?
This one is key and if you’ve noticed you are no longer attending book club, church groups, volunteer work or dinners with friends because following the conversation feels too hard or tiring, go to your doctor.
Data from the BrightFocus Foundation shows that many people with early dementia start to withdraw from hobbies and social activities, often because of trouble keeping up mentally. If isolation is creeping in, that can be both a sign and a increased risk factor, since staying socially engaged is generally helpful for brain health.
5. Check your everyday decisions
The fifth and final question to ask yourself is: Are your everyday decisions becoming unlike you?
Each week you should review your recent choices around money, safety and personal care. Simple things like paying the same bill twice, giving money to a suspicious caller, skipping bathing for several days or putting pantry items in the freezer. One odd decision happens to everyone now and then, but a pattern of poor judgment is different and worth heading to your doctors about.
Alzheimer’s Association materials mentioned that new problems with money management, grooming and placing items in unusual spots can show up as dementia progresses. If you see these changes alongside memory and mood shifts, it is time to bring those details to a professional.
Moving forward with support
As mentioned throughout the five questions, make notes. It’s key you take all evidence to your doctor if any of the above issues have you concerned. From there, your doctor can rule out other causes, order tests if needed or refer you to a specialist or memory clinic.
Uncovering issues early gives you more time to plan accordingly, involve family, consider treatment options and put support in place.
It’s important to remember that most people who start this conversation are acting out of caution, not crisis. If it turns out that your memory issues are related to stress, medications or normal aging, you will at least have peace of mind.
More About:Alzheimers