

For example, a person may make poor or uncharacteristic choices in social interactions or wear clothes that are inappropriate for the weather. Making judgments and decisionsĪlzheimer’s causes a decline in the ability to make reasonable decisions and judgments in everyday situations. Eventually, a person with Alzheimer’s may be unable to recognize and deal with numbers. Multitasking is especially difficult, and it may be challenging to manage finances, balance checkbooks and pay bills on time. Have trouble finding the right words to identify objects, express thoughts or take part in conversationsĪlzheimer’s disease causes difficulty concentrating and thinking, especially about abstract concepts such as numbers.Eventually forget the names of family members and everyday objects.Routinely misplace possessions, often putting them in illogical locations.Forget conversations, appointments or events, and not remember them later.Repeat statements and questions over and over.A family member or friend may be more likely to notice how the symptoms worsen.īrain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease lead to growing trouble with: MemoryĮveryone has occasional memory lapses, but the memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease persists and worsens, affecting the ability to function at work or at home. As the disease progresses, memory impairments worsen and other symptoms develop.Īt first, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may be aware of having difficulty remembering things and organizing thoughts. Early signs include difficulty remembering recent events or conversations. Memory loss is the key symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. In advanced stages of the disease, complications from severe loss of brain function - such as dehydration, malnutrition or infection - result in death.

There is no treatment that cures Alzheimer’s disease or alters the disease process in the brain. Different programs and services can help support people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. These treatments can sometimes help people with Alzheimer’s disease maximize function and maintain independence for a time. Medications may temporarily improve or slow progression of symptoms. As the disease progresses, a person with Alzheimer’s disease will develop severe memory impairment and lose the ability to carry out everyday tasks. The early signs of the disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Out of the approximately 50 million people worldwide with dementia, between 60% and 70% are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease. Of those, 80% are 75 years old and older. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia - a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that affects a person’s ability to function independently.Īpproximately 5.8 million people in the United States age 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die.
