--- title: "Top 10 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease | HomeCare.com" description: "Worried about early Alzheimer’s in a loved one? Learn to tell the difference between symptoms of aging and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease." url: https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/chronic-conditions/10-signs-of-early-alzheimers-disease/ publisher: HomeCare.com phone: 800-974-3458 start: https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com --- Dementia and chronic conditions # Top 10 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease Published February 5, 20172 min readBy HomeCare.com ![10 Signs-Alzheimers](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/_astro/cb8bb758308bab1808f421038a45fd53-10-signs-Alzheimers.CRbc8dVP_ZYXx1e.webp) Questions about care for your family? [800-974-3458](tel:+18009743458) It can be hard to recognize changes in our loved one’s behavior and personality because it can be difficult to acknowledge they may have underlying issues. If you are worried about Alzheimer’s, this article will introduce you to the early signs of the disease, the changes to watch for in a parent or loved one, and [discuss when it is no longer safe to leave them alone](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/family-resources/warning-signs-for-homecare/). ## Early Signs of Alzheimer’s You Should be Noticing 1. **Minor forgetfulness:** Did your loved one forget an important date or anniversary? Have they misplaced their keys? Are they having trouble remembering names? These are common memory problems, but they could fit into a larger pattern of memory loss that you should look out for. 2. **Keeping track of monthly bills:** If your parent or loved one is forgetting bills and having to pay late fees, that could be a red flag for Alzheimer’s related memory loss. 3. **Problems finishing routine tasks at home:** Is your loved one having difficulties remembering the rules to her favorite game? Can she remember how to cook one of her favorite recipes? 4. **Confusion with time and place:** Has your loved one asked you how they got to your house? Or, have they ever been confused on what day of the week/time of year it is? Confusion later in the day can be a [symptom of Sundowner’s syndrome](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/chronic-conditions/what-is-sundowners-syndrome/). 5. **Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships:** Vision impairments could often be attributed to Alzheimer’s for some. Also, they could have some trouble with distance – which could put them at risk for driving. 6. **New problems with words in speaking or writing:** Are you finding your loved one is having difficulties joining or contributing to conversations with you? Are they repeating themselves or get lost in the middle of a sentence? That could be an indication something is not right. 7. **Losing things and being unable to retrace steps:** Have you ever gone to your loved one’s house and found keys in the refrigerator? Or, found a container of milk in the bathroom? People with Alzheimer’s tend lose the ability to track down something because they cannot retrace their steps. If you are noticing problems with your loved one wandering outside the house, it could be time to [assess whether you need a caregiver](https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com) to provide companionship. 8. **Decreased or poor judgment:** Has your loved one started giving money to telemarketers out of the blue (when they were usually always very responsible with their money?) Are you finding that your loved is missing showers or bathing less frequently? 9. **Withdrawal from work or social activities:** Are you finding that your loved one is no longer interested in hobbies (bingo, tennis, bridge club?) and finding excuses to not be social any longer? They could be embarrassed by their new Alzheimer’s symptoms. 10. **Changes in mood or personalities:** The mood and personalities of people with early signs of Alzheimer’s can change. When they are out of their comfort zone, it could cause stress, confusion and disorientation. Suspiciousness, fearfulness and anxiety are often other symptoms and cues to look for when assessing a loved one. [Navigating the difficult path of Alzheimer’s care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/chronic-conditions/navigating-life-alzheimers-caregiver/) can be daunting, but being aware can help you maintain the best quality of life possible for your loved one. This article was first published on HomeCare.com on February 5, 2017. Program rules and costs change; see our [current cost data](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/cost-of-home-care/) and [guides](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/) for up-to-date figures. ## Terms in this article - [Wandering](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/wandering/) - [Bathing](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/bathing/) ## Keep reading - [**Navigating Alzheimer’s as a Caregiver**Caregiving for a family member with Alzheimer’s can be very emotionally taxing. Many caregivers share similar experiences and feelings.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/chronic-conditions/navigating-life-alzheimers-caregiver/) - [**Warning Signs Your Parents Need Help at Home**When selecting a home care provider, you want to think about the difference between home care agencies and caregiver registries. Ask these interview questions.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/family-resources/warning-signs-for-homecare/) - [**What is Sundowners Syndrome**Sundowner's Syndrome or Sundowning can make a person with dementia more confused or agitated later in the day. Here are tips to cope with Sundowning.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/chronic-conditions/what-is-sundowners-syndrome/) - [**How Many Hours of Home Care Does Your Parent Need? A Simple Needs Checklist**Count what your parent cannot do alone, and when. A few tasks a week may need two to four hours of visits. Help with bathing, meals and mobility every day...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/how-many-hours-of-home-care-do-i-need/) - [**What 24-Hour and Live-In Home Care Really Cost**At the national median of $35 an hour, round-the-clock care by shifts works out to an estimated $840 a day, $5,880 a week and about $25,550 a month. Live-in...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/24-hour-and-live-in-care-cost/) - [**Home Care Agency, Registry or Private Caregiver: Who Employs Whom and Who Is Liable**The three models differ mainly in who employs the caregiver. With an agency, the caregiver usually works for the agency. With a registry, you usually hire...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/agency-vs-registry-vs-private-caregiver/) ## Talk to a care advisor today. Free consultation. No minimums, no contracts. [800-974-3458](tel:+18009743458) [Call a care advisor](tel:+18009743458)[Find a caregiver online](https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com) ![A caregiver helping an older adult recover at home](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/_astro/post-surgery.CNhBB5ZY_rHxxQ.webp)