60 | NOVEMBER 28 • 2019 

Boom

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ecognizing and taking 
steps to address the warn-
ing signs of Alzheimer’
s 
and other dementias can be 
extremely challenging — espe-
cially in the early stages. It’
s easy 
and common to dismiss cognitive 
changes in oneself or a family 
member as “normal aging.
”
“
Alzheimer’
s is not a nor-
mal part of aging,
” says Dr. 
Keith Fargo, director, scientific 
programs and outreach at the 
Alzheimer’
s Association. “With 
normal aging, you may forget 
where you parked your car — 
that happens to all of us. But if 
you get in your car and get lost 
coming home — that’
s not nor-
mal.
”
Alzheimer’
s is a fatal progres-
sive disease that attacks the brain, 
killing nerve cells and tissue, 
affecting an individual’
s ability 
to remember, think, plan and 
ultimately function. Today, more 

than 5 million Americans are 
living with Alzheimer’
s. By 2050, 
that number is projected to sky-
rocket to nearly 14 million.
To help families identify 
signs early on, the Alzheimer’
s 
Association offers 10 Warning 
Signs and Symptoms, a list of 
some common signs that can be 
early symptoms of Alzheimer’
s or 
other dementias:
1. Disruptive memory loss. 
Forgetting recently learned infor-
mation, asking the same ques-
tions over and over and increas-
ingly relying on memory aids.
2. Challenges in solving prob-
lems. Changes in one’
s ability to 
develop and follow a plan or work 
with numbers, such as having 
trouble following a familiar recipe 
or keeping track of monthly bills.
3. Difficulty completing famil-
iar tasks. Difficulty completing 
daily tasks, such as organizing a 
grocery list or remembering the 

rules of a favorite game.
4. Confusion with time or 
place. Losing track of dates, sea-
sons and the passage of time.
5. Trouble understanding 
visual images and spatial relation-
ships. Vision problems, which 
may lead to difficulty with bal-
ance or trouble reading.
6. New problems with words 
in speaking or writing. Trouble 
following or joining a conversa-
tion or a struggle with vocabulary. 
For example, calling a “watch” a 
“hand-clock.
”
7. Misplacing things and 
losing the ability to retrace steps. 
Putting things in unusual places 
and being unable to go back over 
one’
s steps to find them again.
8. Decreased or poor judg-
ment. Changes in judgment or 
decision-making when dealing 
with such matters as money and 
grooming.
9. Withdrawal from work or 

social activities. Changes in the 
ability to hold or follow a conver-
sation can result in a withdrawal 
from hobbies or social activities.
10. Changes in mood and 
personality. Mood and person-
ality changes, such as confusion, 
suspicion, depression, fearfulness 
and anxiety.
To learn more about 
Alzheimer’
s disease and to find 
resources, visit alz.org, the website 
of the Alzheimer’
s Association 
or call its 24/7, free Helpline at 
800.272.3900.
It’
s important to note that 
exhibiting one or more of these 
10 warning signs does not mean 
someone has Alzheimer’
s. In 
fact, these signs may signal other 
— even treatable — conditions. 
However, it’
s important to talk to 
your doctor to understand what is 
driving cognitive changes so you 
can better manage the condition 
— whatever the diagnosis. 

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Alzheimer’
s and Dementia: 
The 10 Warning Signs 
You Need to Know

FROM STATEPOINT

ALZHEIMER’
S 
ASSOCIATION

