Early symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia include loss of thinking skills. This is called cognitive decline. It can show up as:

• Memory loss, such as trouble remembering events.
• Trouble with concentration, planning or problem-solving.
• Poor judgment with decision-making.

Early symptoms also may include changes in social behaviors or communication, such as:

• Withdrawal from work events or social engagements.
• Changes in mood, such as depression or other behavior and personality changes.
• Trouble with language, such as not being able to find the right word or using fewer words when speaking or writing.

Lastly, early symptoms can include loss of visual or spatial skills including:

• Trouble with routine tasks at home or at work, such as writing or using eating utensils.
• Confusion with location or passage of time.
• Not understanding distance in driving, getting lost or misplacing items.

Alzheimer's dementia can affect several aspects of your daily life.

When symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia appear, it's important that you get an accurate diagnosis right away.