The most common early symptom of Alzheimer's is memory loss. As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer’s may have difficulty remembering recent events, concentrating, and performing everyday tasks. Other common early symptoms include:
Problems with Language
People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may forget simple words or substitute words that don't fit.
Difficulty with Visuospatial Skills
Visuospatial skills involve the ability to recognize and identify objects, judge distance and depth, and determine patterns. People with Alzheimer's may have trouble reading, judging distances, and determining color or contrast.
Decreased Reasoning Ability
In the early stages of Alzheimer's, people may have difficulty with complex tasks such as planning or organizing. They may also have trouble understanding abstract concepts.
Trouble with Executive Functions
Executive functions are mental processes that help us plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks. People with early Alzheimer's may have difficulty following a plan or working with numbers. They may also have trouble with planning and organizing.
Altered Mood and Behavior
Altered mood and behavior are common in people with Alzheimer's. They may become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They may also exhibit rapid mood swings, from calm to tears or anger.