Has someone known a person with Alzheimer's disease, what were their first signs of having the disease?

Answer 1

Yes, two of my grandparents were (has been) diagnosed with it, one or two more we sort of suspected...The characteristic early signs are irritability, being unable to concentrate and forgetfulness, with a little difficulty recalling names and words.

Sometimes people also get confused knowing where they are in relation to the world (spatial orientation)and have perceptual problems. I remember my grandfather coming to stay with my Dad. He went missing once and they found him on the lounge at my Dad's neighbours' house watching TV.

As the disease progresses, typically people with Alzheimer's have a great memory for events from decades ago but can't remember what they ate for lunch, but over time forget most things. They usually find complex jobs like paying bills difficult but most can still take care of themselves for a long time. In my grandparents with Alzheimers' they found a strict routine really helped but there might be problems if they are interupted in the middle of doing something, like leaving a pot on the stove.

As it progresses further, many people get restless and agitated, maybe doing something like asking the same question again and again. Some are even violent. My stepmother is going through through this with her mother. Her mum used to have a great sense of humour and was very social and playful but is now very demanding, manipulative and even abusive.

Just remember that everyone is different and the course of the disease is different for everyone.

If you're wondering about yourself or someone close to you remember forgetfulness etc could just be a sign of something else, like having a lot on your mind, having a bad day, stress or, as my Dad claims, just getting older.

Oh- recent studies are ahowing that a diet really high in fresh fruit can have a HUGE impact on reducing the incidence of Alzheimers'...Get that blender out...

Hope this helps

Answer 2

I listened to a radio show once that talked at length about the subject .They said one early sign was the person forgetting certain things they do all the time. Like no longer brushing their teeth or hair or Bathing. But not forgetting like we do. It's like it gets deleted from their routine.Some begin to wander around. Going for walks.Forgetting to eat or take medications. There are new medications out that show promise of slowing the progression of the disease. I think they are close to a breakthrough. I read in a great book that 50 % of people over 85 show signs of the disease.

Answer 3

My Nanna has Alzheimers disease although she is lucky because it had late onset and she can still live at home without having to go into a nursing home. In 2001, Nanna came with us on a holiday to victoria (Australia) from South Australia. She was fine, she came on walks with us up hills etc but thinking back to how she is today we would never be able to do things like that with her anymore. She has slowed down a lot and goes along at her own pace. We started noticing she had memory problems at the end of 2002. At first mums family was sort of in denail about it but eventually she was diagnosed with it. She started mixing days up, getting ready for an outing the day before, ringing people for their birthday a day late. She used to drive around a fair bit but one day drove her car through the back of the garage wall and she never has since. Although she has gradually gotten worse she is still perfectly capable of looking after herself and goes out every wednesday with a group of other people who have alzheimers, accoriding to her she is the least bad.

Answer 4

My grandmother had alzheimer's disease and the later stages were devastating and heartbreaking (this was back before they had medicine to slow the process) and the first symptoms I remember was frequent forgetfulness, confusion, and changes in personality, she also seemed to have more headaches, although she also had diabetes so I am not sure if the headaches were related.

Answer 5

confident, actually check together with her scientific expert, because of the fact as you have suggested, apparently some drugs do decelerate the progression. Is your mom married? communicate it together with her husband and/or your dad. I understand the sensitivity of all this, yet whilst no person jumps in to help, i think you have have been given to do something. do no longer say "alzheimers." it rather is a frightening be conscious. whilst the time is sturdy, preface a communicate with ,"mom, i admire you lots I probability getting you indignant. i think of you're experiencing some memory loss, and we could continuously bypass to the scientific expert and verify it out." superb of luck. i'm hoping your mom is okay.

Answer 6

I've known a few but the closest one was my grandpa. he was 93 years old when he passed. when he was about 91, he just started
losing his sense of direction when driving even though he had lived in this one horse town all of his life, then he started not really knowing the people that he had known all of his life including the children and the grand kids, then he started to go out doors with out being properly dressed(naked sometimes),
it got to much for grandma to handle so we had to put him in a home where he survived for just a few months before he went.
i wouldn't wish this sort of thing to happen on my worst enemy,
and if you are beginning to have a family member that maybe starting with this tell them how much you love them and care about them NOW. tomorrow is always to late too express
your love.

Answer 7

The lady I knew who had it, started out by "forgetting" things and repeating herself a lot. Then it got to a point where she did not even recognize her own husband.

Another lady whom I have never met, but she and I have mutual friends, started doing "strange" things like putting the scissors in the fridge, etc.

Answer 8

not remembering things, lost time, and confusion
my great grandmother she had the disease and passed away from with complications of pneumonia in nov 2003

Answer 9

Forgetfullness, short term memory loss, mood swings, confusion.

Answer 10

I am sure that I know someone......but I can't remember who is he...:(
about signs?????
Can't remember either.
Sorry.....
But Easter time...... my kids let me hide my own chocholate eggs.....and then they take me to the garden and let me look for them...:)