Live long enough and you’ll forget something. Reach your 60s, 70s and 80s, and you may find yourself forgetting things more often. With Alzheimer’s disease affecting just over a third of people age 85 and older, you may fear that these memory slips are signs you could be one of them.
“As we age, our ability to retrieve names and information diminishes. Misplacing objects and forgetting unimportant conversations becomes more common,” says board-certified neurologist Dr. Paul Mazzeo. “With the line blurring between normal brain changes of aging and diseases such as Alzheimer’s, people understandably are concerned about how to distinguish between the two. While certain changes to the way we think are common, we shouldn’t ignore symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease as being an expected part of aging.”
Read More: Could This Be Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease?
Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Indications you are developing Alzheimer’s disease include the new development of the following signs and symptoms:
- Desire to withdraw from social settings because you’re embarrassed by your symptoms
- Difficulty with everyday tasks, such as making a grocery list
- Difficulty writing or participating in conversations
- Making bad choices that have obvious negative consequences
- Mood and personality changes, such as fear, anxiety, depression or suspicion
- Putting items in unusual places and not being able to retrace your steps to find them
- Trouble solving problems or concentrating on the task at hand
Though incurable, Alzheimer’s disease can be managed, and treatments that lessen symptom severity are available. With medication, therapy and palliative care, those with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers can maintain quality of life.
Dementia screenings are included in Medicare annual wellness visits with a primary care provider. Find a provider accepting new patients.
