Ten Warning Signs of Memory Loss

   Do You Know the Alzheimer Association's Ten Warning Signs of Memory Loss?  

• Memory Loss 
  Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of memory loss. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later.  
   
• Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks
  A person might often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks, or 
  may lose track of the steps involved in preparing a meal, placing a telephone
  call or a game. 
   
• Problems with Language 
  A person might begin to forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. They may be unable to find the word “toothbrush”, for example, and instead ask for "that thing for my mouth.” 
   
• Disorientation to Time and Place
  A person can become lost in their own neighborhood, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home. 
   
• Poor or Decreased Judgment  
  The person may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold.  They may show poor judgment, like giving away large sums of money to telemarketers. 
   
• Problems with Abstract Thinking 
  A person may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like
  forgetting what numbers are for and how they should be used. 
   
• Misplacing Things 
  The individual may put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer or a
  wristwatch in the sugar bowl. 
   
• Changes in Mood or Behavior  
  A person may show rapid mood swings – from calm to tears to anger –
  for no apparent reason. 
   
• Changes in Personality 
  The personality of the individual may change dramatically. They may become
  extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member. 
   
• Loss of Initiative   
  The person may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours,
  sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities.