Alzheimer's Symptoms

I'm concerned that my 75-year-old mother may be showing signs of early Alzheimer's. Can you tell me what I should look for and what steps we should take?

The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in its early stages is often difficult, especially for a physician or healthcare provider who is unfamiliar with the patient. It is helpful to see the patient more than once over a time interval of at least several weeks to a few months. Relatives or close friends are often the best at making the observations necessary for the diagnosis. It is therefore helpful to start the evaluation process as early as you become suspicious of an abnormal memory decline.

Most of us have mild difficulties with memory, as we get older. Memory experts refer to this as “Mild Cognitive Impairment” or “MCI”. Worrisome features include, asking the same question more than twice of the same person; telling a story more than twice to the same audience and forgetting that it was told before; making errors on taking prescribed medication; losing track of bills or money management; or losing one's way on a walk or in the car. Inadequate personal hygiene, grooming or dressing can be early signs.

Remember that physical exercise, mental exercises such as games and puzzles, and socializing help us stimulate memory pathways and retain them whether or not we have Alzheimer's disease.

Once a problem is detected, medical advice is recommended to look for other causes of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent cause, but other problems including unanticipated medication side effects, metabolic problems, structural injuries to the brain, and mental health disorders should be considered. I would recommend starting with a primary care physician.

A consultation with a neurologist, psychologist, and/or psychiatrist may be helpful. There are medications that slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. There are many different resources for general education about how to help patients with Alzheimer's disease. Often it is helpful to see what is available in your local community for assistance.