I first became suspicious my mother was suffering from Alzheimers when she struggled to find a normal word to say. That happens to all of us from time to time, but my mom was doing it in almost every sentence. She blamed it on her new dentures and used to curse her teeth for giving her so many problems.

Then she started to call me once a month when her bank statement came in. She would cry and be panicked because she couldn't reconcile it. And then insist I come over right away to fix it. This was a task she'd been doing all her life - so it was quite a change in behavior to no longer accomplish it.

Alzheimer’s disease can be a difficult illness to recognize at first because the symptoms of Alzheimer’s come in stages, and can progress over a period of many years. Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s are not always as clear and the symptoms in the middle and later phases, which become the classic symptoms that you often hear about. For example, the inability to recognize family and friends or the potential for wandering away from home and becoming lost. It is good to have an idea of what the preliminary symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease look like as well, so that you can begin to prepare for the illness as early as possible.

Early Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

The early symptoms of this illness can surface a number of years before the disease progresses to the next phase of symptoms. These first signs can include a shorter attention span and a difficulty completing tasks. Lapses in memory, poor judgement and subtle personality changes can all be early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. You may notice that a family member is beginning to forget names more frequently, or that words don’t seem to come to them as easily in conversations. A patient in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may begin to put things in odd places, like his wallet in the dishwasher or socks in the refrigerator. Sometimes people who are beginning to show the signs of Alzheimer’s will appear more withdrawn, frustrated or angry than usual.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Middle Stage

At this stage of Alzheimer’s disease, a person may begin to forget who family members are and get them confused with each other. The ability to follow written instructions fades, and even simple tasks like getting dressed can become confusing and difficult to complete. You may find that your family member will show symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease like confusion over the time of day or year. Urinary and fecal incontinence is also a sign of the mid-stages of this illness. This may become the time when an Alzheimer’s patient develops a tendency to wander and get lost, which becomes a huge safety issue for the family members who are caring for the person.

Late Stage Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

At the end of Alzheimer’s disease, many patients will lose the ability to walk unassisted, and some will not even be able to sit up without help. Many will no longer be able to speak and will become completely incontinent. Because the act of swallowing can cause choking at this stage, many will stop eating at this point as well. Some will live with this disease for only a few years and others will survive for a decade or more. The average life span for someone with Alzheimer’s is usually around eight years from the time of diagnosis. For those caring for someone with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, this can be a trying time indeed.

Don't be afraid to make a doctor's appointment for your loved one. Get them checked early if you suspect their memory problems are not just old age. Make up an excuse to take them to the doctor's office if you have to.