We all forget things sometimes.
You walk into a room and forget why you went there. You spend ten minutes looking for your phone while it’s in your hand. Or someone’s name completely disappears from your brain, only to pop back into your head later.
Occasional forgetfulness can be a normal part of life and ageing. But some changes can go beyond simply having a forgetful day.
The early signs of Alzheimer’s can include changes in memory, thinking, problem-solving and behaviour that begin to affect everyday life. Alzheimer’s disease causes a gradual decline in memory, thinking and reasoning abilities, which is why recognising changes and speaking to a doctor is important.
So, what should you be looking out for?
Here are 10 common early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
1. Memory loss that starts affecting everyday life
Memory loss is one of the most common early signs of Alzheimer’s.
This can look different from occasionally forgetting an appointment or someone’s name. Someone may repeatedly forget recently learned information, important dates or events. They may ask the same question several times or increasingly rely on reminders and family members for things they previously handled themselves.
The important thing to look out for is whether memory problems are becoming frequent enough to interfere with everyday life.
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2. Finding planning or problem-solving more difficult
Another thing that counts as part of the signs of Alzheimer’s is that tasks that once felt straightforward may start requiring much more concentration.
Someone may struggle to follow a familiar recipe, keep track of monthly bills, work with numbers or follow a plan. They may also take noticeably longer to complete these tasks than they did before.
Making the occasional mistake when paying a bill can happen to anyone. Regularly struggling with something you previously managed comfortably is different.
3. Struggling with familiar everyday tasks
Think about the things you do almost automatically, like driving to a familiar place, putting together your usual shopping list or playing a game you’ve known for years.
Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia can make familiar activities increasingly difficult. Someone may struggle to get to a place they regularly visit or have trouble completing an everyday task they previously knew well.
It’s the change from what is normal for that person that matters.
4. Losing track of time or place
We’ve probably all had to check our phones to remember what day it is.
But regularly losing track of dates, seasons or the passage of time can be one of the warning signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Someone may also become confused about where they are or how they got there.
Forgetting what day it is and remembering later can happen with normal ageing. Being unable to work out where you are is a more significant change.
5. Changes in understanding what you see
Not every early sign of Alzheimer’s involves memory.
Some people may experience difficulty interpreting visual information and spatial relationships. This can affect reading, balance, judging distances or recognising differences in colour and contrast. These changes can also cause difficulties when driving.
Vision problems can have many different causes, so changes should always be properly assessed by a healthcare professional.
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6. New difficulties with speaking or writing
We all have those “what’s the word again?” moments.
Someone experiencing Alzheimer’s or dementia may have increasing difficulty following or joining conversations. They might stop halfway through a conversation and struggle to continue, repeat themselves or have difficulty finding the name of a familiar everyday object.
The key is to look for a new or increasingly frequent change rather than the occasional forgotten word.
7. Frequently losing things and not being able to retrace your steps
Everyone loses their keys from time to time.
But someone living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia may begin putting belongings in unusual places and then struggle to retrace their steps to work out where they left them.
As the disease progresses, they may sometimes believe someone else has taken the missing item.
Occasionally losing something and finding it again is normal. Regularly finding belongings in unusual places without knowing how they got there may be worth paying attention to.
8. Changes in judgement or decision-making
Another possible Alzheimer’s symptom is a noticeable change in how someone makes decisions.
This could include showing poor judgement when handling money or paying less attention to personal grooming and hygiene than they usually would.
Everyone makes a questionable decision once in a while. What you’re looking for is an ongoing change that is unusual for that person.
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9. Withdrawing from work, hobbies or social activities
Sometimes an early change or signs of Alzheimer’s can look like someone has simply become quieter or less interested in going out.
Difficulty following conversations or keeping up with familiar activities can lead someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia to withdraw from hobbies, work, social activities or other things they previously enjoyed.
If someone who usually loves seeing friends, following their favourite sport or taking part in a hobby suddenly starts avoiding it, it may be worth checking in with them.
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10. Changes in mood or personality
Changes in mood and personality can also be among the signs of Alzheimer’s.
Someone may become more confused, suspicious, fearful, anxious or easily upset, particularly when they are outside their normal routine or comfort zone.
One bad day doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. It’s ongoing or significant changes in someone’s usual behaviour that are important to notice.
Alzheimer’s or normal age-related memory changes?
This is where things can get confusing.
Occasionally forgetting a name, losing something and finding it again, missing a payment or struggling to remember the right word can happen as we get older.
The difference is often how frequently it happens and how much it affects everyday life.
For example, forgetting what day it is and remembering later can be a typical age-related change. Regularly losing track of the date or season may be more concerning.
The same goes for losing things. Misplacing your keys and retracing your steps to find them is very different from regularly putting belongings in unusual places and being unable to work out where they are.
What should you do if you notice early signs of Alzheimer’s?
Noticing one or more of these signs doesn’t automatically mean that you or someone you love has Alzheimer’s disease.
Memory loss, confusion and changes in behaviour can be concerning, but it’s important not to try to diagnose the cause yourself.
If changes in memory, thinking, judgement or behaviour are persistent or beginning to interfere with everyday life, speak to a doctor.
A healthcare professional can assess the symptoms and help determine what may be causing them.
Early detection of the signs of Alzheimer’s can also give someone more time to understand what is happening, explore available treatment options and plan for the future.
Knowing the early signs of Alzheimer’s isn’t about assuming the worst every time you forget where you left your phone. It’s about knowing what changes to pay attention to and when it may be time to ask for help.
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