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1
MEMORY LOSS
Forgetting recently learned information is one
of the most common early signs of dementia.
A person begins to forget more often and is
unable to recall the information later.
What’s normal?
Forgetting names or appointments
occasionally.
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2
DIFFICULTY
PERFORMING
FAMILIAR TASKS
People with dementia often find it hard to
plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals
may lose track of the steps involved in
preparing a meal, placing a telephone call
or playing a game.
What’s normal?
Occasionally forgetting why you came into
a room or what you planned to say.
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3
PROBLEMS WITH
LANGUAGE
People with Alzheimer’s disease often forget
simple words or substitute unusual words,
making their speech or writing hard to
understand. They may be unable to find the
toothbrush, for example, and instead ask for
“the thing for my mouth.”
What’s normal?
Forgetting names or appointments
occasionally.
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4
DISORIENTATION TO
TIME AND PLACE
People with Alzheimer’s disease can become
lost in their own neighborhood, forget where
they are and how they got there, and
not know how to get home.
What’s normal?
Forgetting the day of the week or where
you were going.
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5
POOR OR DECREASED
JUDGEMENT
Those with Alzheimer’s may dress
inappropriately, wearing several layers on
a warm day or little clothing in the cold.
They may show poor judgment, like giving
away large sums of money to telemarketers.
What’s normal?
Making a questionable or debatable decision
from time to time.
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6
PROBLEMS WITH
ABSTRACT THINKING
Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may have
unusual difficulty performing complex mental
tasks, like forgetting what numbers are for and
how they should be used.
What’s normal?
Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.
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7
MISPLACING THINGS
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put
things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer
a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.
What’s normal?
Misplacing keys or wallet temporarily.
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8
CHANGE IN MOOD
OR BEHAVIOR
Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may show
rapid mood swings—from calm to tears to
anger—for no apparent reason.
What’s normal?
Occasionally feeling sad or moody.
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9
CHANGES IN
PERSONALITY
The personalities of people with dementia
can change dramatically. They may become
extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or
dependent on a family member.
What’s normal?
People’s personalities do change
somewhat with age.
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10
LOSS OF INITIATIVE
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may
become very passive, sitting in front of the
TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or
not wanting to do usual activities.
What’s normal?
Sometimes feeling weary of work or
social obligations.
