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An early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is
important because it will give patients, family members
and caregivers time to get information and find resources
they'll need to manage this progressive, degenerative
disease. Early medical intervention and treatment of
Alzheimer's disease can help improve, maintain or delay
the progression of the disease symptoms. |
To help diagnose Alzheimer's disease, physicians will use a
variety of tools, which will assess functions and cognition (our
intellectual capacity such as remembering) and they will do a
complete physical examination.
The patient and family will be asked questions about the
symptoms, other current illnesses, medications, and their
medical and psychiatric history. In addition, a laboratory
analysis of blood and other tests may be done. These steps help
rule out other possible causes of the symptoms.
Alzheimer's Disease Warning Signs -
Some Common Examples:
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Memory loss that affects daily activities
Asks the same question repeatedly
May forget that they have eaten already
Misplaces things
Repeatedly forgets where they left things
Cannot remember recent events
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Trouble performing
Cannot prepare any part of a meal or perform familiar tasks
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Problems with language
Forgets simple words or
Forgets what certain objects are called
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Is disoriented with time and place
Gets lost in own neighborhood and
does not know how to get home
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Poor or decreased judgment
Dresses inappropriately
(wearing summer clothes on winter day)
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Problems with abstract thinking
Has trouble figuring out a bill
Cannot understand what a birthday is
Puts things in inappropriate places-
(like placing watch in sugar bowl)
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Changes in mood and personality
Has mood swings for no apparent reason
May become suspicious, withdrawn, apathetic, fearful, etc.
- Loss of initiative
Becomes very passive
Needs encouragement to become involved
Recommended Reading
Several Alzheimer's Resource Sites
for Further Study:
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Geriatric Nursing Topics
