- Forgetfulness: forgetting dates, events, names, misplacing or losing things, repeating stories, repeatedly asking the same question
- Trouble with names or word-finding: names of people, places, objects, movies, songs, etc.
- Difficulty with orientation: days of the week, the day’s date, the year, the time of day or seasons of the year
- Trouble completing routine activities: driving to a familiar location, cooking a favorite recipe, managing finances, using a computer or cell phone, managing medications, etc.
Common symptoms associated with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease:
About Alzheimer’s Disease
As we age, brain changes can result in memory concerns. There are, however, some cognitive changes that are not part of the normal aging process, but may actually be the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disorder that destroys nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. As these neurons are destroyed, it results in memory loss and other problems with thinking (cognition) and behavior. The disease is progressive, which means it gets worse over time.
- It is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
- It is estimated that 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease.
- Every 65 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
- The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase by 88 million by 2050.
- Significant memory loss is not a normal part of growing older or aging. It is often one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
While other leading causes of death are on the decline, Alzheimer’s disease is very much on the rise.
Even though there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, early evaluation and treatment may help prolong memory and improve the long-term quality of life. The research discovery gained through clinical trials offers hope for finding more effective future treatments and provides hope for a cure.
Additional information:
Video “How Alzheimer’s Changes the Brain“ provided by the National Institute on Aging
Read “Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet” provided by the National Institute on Aging
Downloadable PDF of the Alzheimer’s Association report on Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures 2019. This report details the escalation of Alzheimer’s, which currently impacts over 5 million Americans. Facts and figures convey the burden of Alzheimer’s and dementia on individuals, families and local state government and the nation’s healthcare system. It reports that 1 in 10 people in the US over age 65 have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and the percentage of people with the disease increases with age. These numbers do not include many people with Alzheimer’s disease who are not diagnosed and do not know they have it.
