Recent memory loss that affects
job skills.
It is normal to occasionally forget assignments, colleagues'
names, or a business associate's telephone number and remember them
later. Those with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), forget
things more often, and do not remember them later.
Difficulty performing familiar
tasks.
Busy people can be so distracted from time to time that they may leave
the carrots on the stove and only remember to serve them at the end
of a meal. Individuals with AD could prepare a meal and not only
forget to serve it, but also forget they made it.
Problems with language.
Everyone has trouble with finding the right word sometimes, but a person
with AD may forget simple words or substitute inappropriate words, making
his or her sentence incomprehensible.
Disorientation to time and place.
It's normal to forget the day of the week or your destination for a
moment. But people with AD can become lost on their own street,
not knowing where they are, how they got there or how to get back
home.
Poor or decreased judgment.
People can become so immersed in an activity that they temporarily forget
the child they are watching. Individuals with AD could forget
entirely the child under their care. They may also dress inappropriately,
wearing several layers of shirts or blouses.
Problems with abstract thinking.
Balancing a checkbook may be disconcerting when the task is more complicated
than usual. Someone with AD could forget completely what the
numbers are and what needs to be done with them.
Misplacing things.
Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys. An individual
with AD may put things in inappropriate places. Examples include
an iron in the freezer, or a wristwatch in the sugarbowl.
Changes in mood or behavior.
Everyone becomes sad or moody from time to time. Someone with
AD can exhibit rapid mood swings - from calm to tears to anger - for
no apparent reason.
Changes in personality.
People's personalities can change somewhat with age. But an individual
with AD can change drastically, becoming extremely confused, suspicious,
or fearful.
Loss of initiative.
It's normal to tire of housework, business activities, or social obligations,
but most people regain their initiative. The individual with AD
may become very passive and require cues and prompting to become involved.
