Alzheimer's disease is a severe, progressive brain condition for which there is no cure as yet. Fear of Alzheimer’s disease increases with age, yet just because someone cannot find the right word or misplaces things, it is far from being a sign of an early stage of dementia. But how is it possible to distinguish between normal age-related changes and early indicators of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease?
Mild cognitive impairments can definitely occur as people age. However, they are not necessarily early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia . So how can we distinguish between rather harmless early symptoms and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease ?
Generally speaking, Alzheimer’s disease manifests itself with the following ten early signs of dementia. It is important to note that not all signs and symptoms necessarily exist in all affected people.
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Generally harmless: Someone forgets names or dates, but remembers them later.
Typical of Alzheimer’s disease: Memory loss like forgetting important dates or events or information that was recently learned, constantly repeating the same questions, increasing reliance on memory aids, needing help for activities that were previously carried out independently.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
Generally harmless: Occasional mistakes when filling in forms
Typical of Alzheimer’s disease: Impaired ability to plan, difficulties when handling numbers and calculations or following familiar recipes, difficulties with concentration. Performing habitual activities takes considerably longer than before.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Generally harmless: Someone needs support now and then in order to set up household appliances properly or to label a parcel.
Typical of Alzheimer’s disease: Trouble performing habitual tasks, such as finding a familiar place or remembering the rules of a familiar game.
4. Confusion of time or place
Generally harmless: Someone is confused about the day of the week, but remembers it later.
Typical of Alzheimer’s disease: Loss of relationship to course of time, seasons and the date. Problems understanding things that are not happening in the present. A person may forget where they are or how they arrived there.
5. Difficulties understanding visual input and spatial relationships
Generally harmless: Cataract
Typical of Alzheimer’s disease: Loss of vision in the form of difficulties when reading, judging distances and recognising contrast and colour. Not recognising oneself in the mirror.
6. Problems with words in speech or writing
Generally harmless: Occasional problems finding the desired word.
Typical of Alzheimer’s disease: Problems with following or participating in conversations. Falling silent in the middle of a conversation and not knowing how to continue; repeating oneself. Problems finding the desired words or naming things incorrectly.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Generally harmless: Sometimes misplacing something and finding it later by retracing individual steps.
Typical of Alzheimer’s disease: Leaving things in unusual places. Losing things and being unable to retrace which steps are needed to find them again. Making accusations of theft. A typical feature is that these incidents occur frequently.
8. Diminished or poor judgement
Generally harmless: Occasionally making bad decisions.
Typical of Alzheimer’s disease: Impaired judgement and reduced ability to make decisions, such as handling money. Poor personal hygiene.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
Generally harmless: Occasional weariness (work, family, social obligations)
Typical of Alzheimer’s disease: Withdrawal from hobbies, social activities, sporting activities and projects in the workplace. Problems with pursuing favourite hobbies or difficulties following a favourite sports team and avoiding social occasions.
10. Changes in mood and personality
Generally harmless: Developing specific habits and fixed routines, and irritability when the routine is disrupted.
Typical of Alzheimer’s disease: Mood changes or changes in character, such as confusion, mistrust, depression, anxiety or unease. Easily losing composure at work, in a social setting or in unfamiliar places.
If in doubt, seek advice from a doctor
As we age, certain changes in mental performance and social behaviour are not unusual. However, whether these are signs of dementia or even the onset of Alzheimer’s disease can ultimately only be clarified by a doctor. They will take into account not only the present symptoms, but also individual factors. This includes excluding or treating other illnesses such as depression or thyroid disorders, which can cause similar symptoms to the onset of dementia. On this basis, any concerns can be alleviated or appropriate diagnostic procedures , referral to a specialist or appropriate treatment can be initiated.
References
1. Alzheimer’s and Dementia: 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. 2025; Available from: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs.
2. Ist das schon Demenz oder noch ‘normale’ Vergesslichkeit? 2025; Available from: https://www.alzheimer-bw.de/grundwissen-demenz/demenz-oder-normale-vergesslichkeit/.
3. Alzheimer's, A., 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease. J Okla State Med Assoc, 2012. 105(11): p. 437-44.
4. Raina, S.K. and V. Chander, To evaluate the utility of 10 warning signs questionnaire in assessment of cognitive function among elderly people. J Neurosci Rural Pract, 2016. 7(1): p. 168-70.
