There is no clear-cut line between what distinguishes normal aging tendencies and the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. A good idea is to check with a doctor should the suspected Alzheimer’s patient begin to vary from their basic behaviorisms, regular routines, or if their level of functioning seems to change. What are some common signs that you can look for; when you suspect Alzheimer’s disease and how do you differentiate them from normal behavior? Read on to learn about 8 different signs that can help determine if a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease.

1. Memory Loss – Problems with the short-term memory and forgetting recently learned information is one of the more common, early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, with normal aging, it’s also quite common to forget names or miss appointments on occasion. People with Alzheimer’s disease begin to forget more and more often and are unable to recall the information at a later date. Another good way to determine if this is Alzheimer’s related or merely a sign of aging is that it’s common for people to forget parts of events, whereas the Alzheimer’s patient will commonly forget the event in its entirety.

2. Difficulty Following Routines – Those suffering from dementia frequently finds it difficult to perform tasks that should be familiar to them. What might have once been common routine now seems strangely alien. While it’s normal to forget why you’ve entered a room, or what it was that you intended to tell someone, people with dementia often lose track of steps in things that come as second nature, like dressing, preparing a meal, or the act of changing the channels on the television.

3. Problems With Language Or Numbers – People who have dementia often find difficulty verbalizing their thoughts, forgetting words, or they substitute other words for what they mean. This often makes their speech and/or writing difficult to understand. Similarly, numbers also give them trouble, making it hard to figure out what the numbers are used for or finding they are unable to add up even the simplest of sums. A person who is suffering from Alzheimer’s may very well demand “the black thing” when referring to a comb, or “food” when they really want a drink.

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