Early Warning Signs

Recent memory loss – forgetting more often and not remembering later

Difficulty performing familiar or routine tasks – meal preparation, doing laundry

Problems with language – trouble finding the right word, forgetting simple words, substituting inappropriate words

Disorientation of time and place – getting lost in your own neighborhood, not knowing how to get home or to familiar places

Poor or decreased judgment – dressing inappropriately, layering clothing, disrobing in public, leaving stove burners on

Problems with abstract thinking – balancing a checkbook, coming up with a reasonable plan to an everyday problem like a toilet that is overflowing

Misplacing things – putting things in inappropriate places and cannot remember where to find common items, putting frozen items in oven

Changes in mood or behavior – rapid mood swings for no apparent reason

Changes in personality – becoming confused, suspicious, fearful and may think family members are stealing things

Loss of initiative – becoming very passive and requiring cues and prompting to become involved