Alzheimer's Disease Center
University of California, Davis

The Family Connection
Winter 2000

What are the Early Stage Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease affects people in different ways. Individuals will differ according to the symptoms they experience and the way the disease progresses. However, the general course of the disease is often divided into stages (early, middle and late) based upon memory functioning, overall thinking ability, day-to-day
abilities to care for yourself, and behavior. Long-term memory (i.e., childhood and early adulthood) is usually the least affected. The following is a list of areas that may become increasingly difficult for someone who is in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease. This list is intended to help you identify potential areas of difficulty in order to plan for future changes. You may begin noticing changes in the following areas:

• Memory for recent events: remembering appointments, details of a recent conversation, and names.
• Carrying out tasks with multiple steps: managing money and balancing your checkbook, taking medications, shopping and cooking.
• Decision-making and problem solving: making quick decisions when there is an emergency, such as responding to a flood in your home.
• Spatial ability and orientation: following a map or following directions, judging the distance of objects while driving, and feeling lost in familiar environments.
• Language: finding the right word, understanding what you have read, and writing.
• Behavior and/or mood: loss of interest in new projects, withdrawing in social situations, feelings of anxiety and depression. Keep in mind that symptoms of anxiety and depression are often treatable; speak with your physician if these feelings arise.

(Reprinted with permission of Family Caregiver Alliance)

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