Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder that is currently affecting millions of people around the world.

It is a serious condition that primarily affects memory, thinking, and behavior, and can eventually interfere with daily life and activities. Unfortunately, early detection is often difficult, but there are some early warning signs that can help identify the disease in its early stages. Below are some of the most common early warning signs of Alzheimer’s.

1. Memory Loss

Memory loss is the most common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. People with Alzheimer’s may forget important information that they have recently learned, or they may forget things that they have known for years.

They may also forget where they put things or they may start to misplace items more frequently.

2. Difficulty with Planning or Problem Solving

Alzheimer’s can also affect a person’s ability to plan and problem solve. People with Alzheimer’s may have difficulty completing familiar tasks or they may start to lack the ability to properly manage their finances.

They may also have trouble following a recipe or keeping track of appointments.

3. Difficulty with Familiar Tasks

A person with Alzheimer’s may start to have trouble performing tasks that are familiar to them, such as driving to a familiar location or cooking a meal that they have made many times before.

They may also have trouble remembering how to play a favorite game or how to use a tool that they previously knew how to use.

4. Difficulty with Visuospatial Abilities

Visuospatial abilities refer to a person’s ability to understand and navigate physical space. People with Alzheimer’s may start to have difficulty with tasks like judging distances or interpreting visual cues.

5. Misplacing Items

As we mentioned earlier, people with Alzheimer’s often misplace things or forget where they put something. They may put things in strange locations, or accuse someone else of stealing or hiding their personal belongings.

6. Changes in Mood or Personality

Alzheimer’s can also cause changes in mood or personality. A person may become more isolated or withdrawn, and they may start to experience feelings of anxiety or depression.

They may also have trouble controlling their emotional responses and may lash out or become aggressive more frequently.

7. Loss of Initiative

A person with Alzheimer’s may start to lose initiative or motivation. They may no longer be interested in activities that they used to enjoy or they may start to have trouble initiating conversation with others.

8. Difficulty with Language

Language difficulties are another common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. A person with Alzheimer’s may have trouble finding the right words to say or they may start to repeat themselves frequently.

9. Poor Judgment or Decision Making

As Alzheimer’s progresses, a person may start to lose the ability to make good decisions or judgments. They may start to take unnecessary risks or make poor financial decisions.

10. Wandering or Getting Lost

Finally, Alzheimer’s can cause a person to become disoriented or confused, leading to wandering or getting lost. This can be particularly dangerous if the person wanders outside of their home or becomes lost in an unfamiliar location.