Alzheimer's Disease

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

If you or someone you love has started forgetting important dates, repeating the same questions, or struggling with familiar tasks, you may be concerned about Alzheimer’s disease. These concerns are valid, and seeking answers is an important first step.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia—a brain condition that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It’s not just “normal aging” or simple forgetfulness. Alzheimer’s is a progressive medical condition that gets worse over time.

This page provides educational information about Alzheimer’s disease in simple terms, helps you recognize warning signs, and explains the treatment options available. For personalized medical advice and diagnosis, consult with a qualified healthcare professional.

What Happens in Alzheimer’s Disease?

How Does Alzheimer’s Affect the Brain?

In Alzheimer’s disease, harmful substances build up in the brain. According to the National Institute on Aging, these buildups damage brain cells and stop them from working properly. When brain cells stop working and die, memory and thinking abilities decline.

The disease typically starts by affecting memory first. Mayo Clinic explains that as the disease progresses, it affects thinking, language, and eventually all brain functions.

Who Gets Alzheimer’s?

While Alzheimer’s most commonly affects people over 60, it can occasionally happen to younger people. According to the World Alzheimer Report 2025 from Alzheimer’s Disease International, millions of people worldwide have Alzheimer’s disease.

Risk factors include:

• Getting older (risk increases after 60)

• Family history (parents or relatives with Alzheimer’s)

• Family genes that increase risk

• Previous head injuries

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes

• Overweight or lack of exercise

• Not keeping your mind active

• Spending too much time alone

Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Many people think memory problems are just part of getting old. But Alzheimer’s symptoms are different—they get in the way of daily life and keep getting worse over time.

10 Warning Signs You Should Know

1. Memory Loss That Gets in the Way of Daily Life

Normal aging: You forget someone’s name but remember it later.

Alzheimer’s warning: You forget things you just learned. You ask the same question many times. You rely on family members to remember things.

Example: Asking what time the doctor’s appointment is, then asking the same question five times within an hour.

2. Trouble Planning or Solving Problems

Normal aging: You make a small math mistake on your bills.

Alzheimer’s warning: You can’t follow a recipe you’ve used for years. You can’t figure out how to pay bills or manage money. You take much longer to do things.

Example: Someone who always handled household finances can’t figure out how to pay the electricity bill anymore.

3. Trouble Completing Everyday Tasks

Normal aging: You sometimes need help with new technology.

Alzheimer’s warning: You get lost driving to places you go regularly. You forget how to make meals you’ve made a hundred times.

Example: Getting lost driving to the neighborhood market you’ve gone to for 20 years.

4. Confusion About Time or Where You Are

Normal aging: You forget what day it is but figure it out quickly.

Alzheimer’s warning: You lose track of dates and seasons. You don’t know where you are or how you got there. You’re confused about what time of day it is.

Example: Not knowing if it’s morning or evening, or thinking it’s a different season than it actually is.

5. Trouble Recognizing Faces or Places

Normal aging: You need glasses to read or see clearly.

Alzheimer’s warning: You have trouble reading. You can’t tell the difference between colors. You don’t recognize familiar faces.

Example: Not being able to see the difference between your plate and the table.

6. Problems with Speaking or Writing

Normal aging: You sometimes can’t think of a word you need.

Alzheimer’s warning: You stop in the middle of talking and don’t know how to continue. You repeat the same thing over and over. You use the wrong words for things.

Example: Calling a spoon a “food stick” or forgetting the word for common objects.

7. Losing Things and Can’t Find Them

Normal aging: You misplace your keys or glasses once in a while.

Alzheimer’s warning: You put things in strange places like the refrigerator or trash. You can’t remember where you put them. Sometimes you think people stole your things.

Example: Finding your glasses in the kitchen cabinet or your wallet in unusual places.

8. Bad Judgment or Decisions

Normal aging: You make a questionable decision occasionally.

Alzheimer’s warning: You give money to strangers. You don’t take care of yourself. You make unsafe decisions over and over.

Example: Wearing the same clothes for many days or falling for obvious scams.

9. Staying Away from Activities and People

Normal aging: Sometimes you’re tired of doing certain things.

Alzheimer’s warning: You stop doing hobbies you loved. You avoid friends and family. You don’t want to go to social events anymore.

Example: A person who always loved visiting friends suddenly stops calling and doesn’t want to see anyone.

10. Sudden Changes in Mood or Personality

Normal aging: You develop certain preferences or get irritable sometimes.

Alzheimer’s warning: You suddenly become angry, scared, worried, or sad without a clear reason. Your personality seems to change.

Example: A kind person becoming mean, or a calm person becoming very anxious.

The Alzheimer’s Association provides an interactive tool to check symptoms.

Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s affects everyone differently, but understanding the stages helps families prepare and understand what to expect.

Stage 1: Preclinical (Before Symptoms)

• No noticeable symptoms yet

• Changes are happening in the brain but the person feels completely normal

• Life goes on as usual

• Can last many years or even decades

What this means: The person has no idea anything is changing.

Stage 2: Mild or Early-Stage Alzheimer’s

• First signs of memory problems appear

• Often mistaken for normal aging

• Person can still live independently, work, and drive

• May forget recent events or struggle with complex tasks

• Subtle personality changes may appear

• Friends and family start to notice something is different

Duration: Can last 2-7 years. Getting help at this stage makes the biggest difference.

What this means: Life continues mostly normally, but you notice changes. This is when early treatment helps the most.

Stage 3: Moderate or Middle-Stage Alzheimer’s

• Often the longest stage, lasting 2-10 years

• Memory loss gets much worse

• Confusion about time and place increases

• Personality and mood changes become clear

• Behavior problems like wandering and trouble sleeping

• Needs help with many daily activities

• Can’t manage finances or take care of themselves

What this means: The person needs help and supervision for most things. Caregiving becomes a major responsibility.

Stage 4: Severe or Late-Stage Alzheimer’s

• Requires 24-hour care

• Severe memory loss and confusion

• Major personality changes

• Body functions decline (trouble walking, eating, swallowing)

• Can’t communicate or respond

• Often gets infections like pneumonia

• Needs total care for everything

What this means: Full-time care is necessary. The focus is on comfort and dignity.

Alzheimer’s vs. Normal Aging vs. Other Types of Memory Problems

Alzheimer’s vs. Normal Aging

For more information on distinguishing normal aging from memory problems, visit the National Institute on Aging.

Other Types of Memory Problems

While Alzheimer’s is the most common, other types of memory problems include:

• Vascular dementia: Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain

• Lewy body dementia: Different type of buildup in brain cells

• Frontotemporal dementia: Affects behavior, personality, and speech

Getting the right diagnosis is important because treatment differs for each type.

How Alzheimer’s Disease is Diagnosed

Early diagnosis is important because treatments work best when started early. Many conditions can look like Alzheimer’s but are actually treatable, so getting a proper evaluation is crucial.

What Happens During an Evaluation

1. Medical History
Your healthcare provider will ask:

• When did the problems start?

• What problems have you noticed?

• Do family members have memory problems?

• What medicines are you taking?

• What other health conditions do you have?

2. Memory and Thinking Tests
Simple tests check:

• Can you remember recent events?

• Can you pay attention?

• Can you understand and use words?

• Can you solve problems?

These are quick and easy tests you can do in the doctor’s office.

3. Physical Exam
The doctor checks:

• Strength and coordination

• Reflexes

• How you walk

• Your speech

• How your eyes move

4. Blood Tests
Blood work checks for other causes of memory problems like:

• Vitamin deficiencies

• Thyroid problems

• Infections

• Other conditions

5. Brain Imaging (When Needed)
Sometimes doctors order scans like MRI or CT to see the brain and rule out other problems like strokes or tumors.

6. Checking for Other Problems
Depression, sleep problems, medication side effects, and other conditions can cause memory problems. The doctor checks for these.

For more information on how doctors evaluate memory problems, see the National Institute on Aging.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

• The visit usually takes 1-2 hours

• Bring all your medicines and medical records

• Bring a family member who has noticed changes

• Be honest about what you’re experiencing

• Ask questions about anything you don’t understand

Treatment Options for Alzheimer’s Disease

While there’s no cure yet, treatments can slow down the disease and help manage symptoms—especially when started early.

Medications That Slow Disease Progression

Recent medicines offer the first real hope for slowing Alzheimer’s down:

New Anti-Disease Medications

According to recent research, these newer medicines target the harmful buildups in the brain:

• Lecanemab: FDA-approved in 2023. Slows memory decline in early stages. Requires monthly medicine infusions.

• Donanemab: Recently approved. Helps slow the disease progression. Easier to give than some other treatments.

What this means: These medicines don’t cure Alzheimer’s but can slow it down—giving people more time before memory gets worse.

Important: These medicines need regular doctor supervision. They’re not right for everyone.

Medicines That Help With Memory and Thinking

These medicines help manage memory and thinking problems:

• Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine: Help boost memory and thinking abilities

• Memantine: Helps with moderate to severe stages

How they work: These medicines help brain chemicals that support memory and thinking work better.

Medicines for Mood and Behavior Problems

Alzheimer’s can cause worry, sadness, anger, or trouble sleeping. Doctors may prescribe medicines for:

• Anxiety or worry

• Depression or sadness

• Anger or aggression

• Sleep problems

Approach: Doctors start with small doses and watch carefully for side effects.

Beyond Medicine: Daily Activities That Help

Studies show that what you do every day is just as important as medicine.

Keep Your Mind Active

Doing activities that keep your brain busy may help:

• Puzzles and games

• Reading

• Learning new things

• Talking with friends and family

• Listening to music

• Drawing or crafts

• Remembering happy times with photos

Exercise Regularly

Moving your body helps your brain:

• Walking (easiest and best activity)

• Dancing

• Swimming

• Tai chi or stretching

• Any physical activity you enjoy

Recommendation: Try to be active at least 30 minutes most days.

Eat Healthy Foods

What you eat affects your brain:

Eat more of these:

• Vegetables and fruits

• Fish and seafood

• Nuts and olive oil

• Beans and whole grains

Eat less of these:

• Processed foods

• Sugary foods

• Fatty meats

• Fried foods

Get Good Sleep

Sleep is important for memory:

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day

• Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep

• Keep your bedroom dark and quiet

• Turn off phones and screens before bed

• Treat sleep problems like apnea or insomnia

Stay Connected

Being around people is good for your brain:

• Spend time with family and friends

• Join groups or clubs

• Volunteer

• Go to religious or spiritual activities

• Call or video chat with loved ones

Try Therapies

Special activities and therapy can help:

• Reminiscence therapy: Looking at old photos and remembering good times

• Music therapy: Listening to familiar music

• Art therapy: Drawing or creating art

• Reality orientation: Gentle reminders about time and place

Help for Family and Caregivers

Taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s is very hard. Your own wellbeing matters too.

What You Need to Know

Learn about the disease:
Understanding Alzheimer’s helps you provide better care and feel less overwhelmed.

Plan ahead:
While your loved one can still make decisions:

• Discuss what they want if they get worse

• Organize legal and financial matters

• Talk about long-term care choices

• Explore financial resources and insurance

Make the home safe:

• Remove things they could trip over

• Add grab bars in bathrooms

• Keep things simple and organized

• Label rooms and important items

• Install locks to prevent wandering

Communication tips:

• Speak slowly and clearly

• Use simple words

• Give one instruction at a time

• Be patient—don’t rush them

• Use gestures and visual cues

• Don’t argue or correct them

• Change the subject if they get upset

Handle difficult behavior:
When someone gets upset or confused:

• Stay calm and speak softly

• Find out what’s bothering them (hungry, pain, tired?)

• Keep routines the same

• Distract them with pleasant activities

• Use physical comfort like holding hands

Prevent Caregiver Burnout

You need to take care of yourself too.

Important steps:

• Take breaks and time for yourself

• Keep your own doctor appointments

• Exercise and eat well

• Accept help from family and friends

• Talk to a support group

• Consider therapy for yourself

• Have realistic expectations

• Practice relaxation and stress relief

The Alzheimer’s Association offers caregiver support and programs.

Support Available

Alzheimer’s Association:

• Call: 1-800-272-3900 (24 hours, 7 days a week)

• Get support and resources

Get Help From:

• Doctors and neurologists

• Support groups

• Home care services

• Adult day programs

• Nursing facilities

Living Well With Alzheimer’s

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis doesn’t mean your life ends. With proper care and support, many people continue to enjoy life and meaningful experiences.

What People Can Still Do

Early Stage:

• Enjoy hobbies and interests

• Continue working with help

• Travel with family

• Participate in social activities

• Exercise and stay active

• Make family decisions

Middle Stage:

• Enjoy simplified activities

• Listen to music and art

• Spend quality time with family

• Help with simple tasks

• Experience nature and beauty

Late Stage:

• Enjoy comfort and peace

• Experience love and connection

• Receive caring, respectful treatment

• Minimize pain and suffering

Keeping Safety and Independence

Help your loved one stay as independent as possible:

• Use safety devices like GPS tracking

• Medication reminder systems

• Grab bars and safety equipment

• Technology that helps with reminders

• Structured activities they enjoy

• Regular supervised activities

End-of-Life Care

As the disease progresses:

• Focus shifts to comfort and quality of life

• Palliative care helps with pain and suffering

• Hospice provides support at the end

• Advance directives guide medical decisions

• Focus on dignity and meaningful goodbyes

Why Early Diagnosis and Treatment Matter

Getting evaluated early offers big advantages:

Benefits of Early Diagnosis:

1. Access to Best Treatments – New medicines work best in early stages

2. Slower Decline – Early treatment may preserve abilities longer

3. Time to Plan – Make important decisions while able

4. Research Opportunities – Access to new treatment studies

5. Financial Planning – Arrange money and legal matters

6. Get Support – Find resources before crisis happens

7. Treat Other Problems – If it’s not Alzheimer’s, get proper treatment

8. Peace of Mind – Understanding what’s happening reduces fear

Don’t wait. Getting evaluated early changes everything.

When to Seek Evaluation

Get evaluated if you or a loved one:

• Have memory problems affecting daily life

• Struggle with familiar tasks

• Get lost in familiar places

• Have trouble with words or speaking

• Show mood or personality changes

• Have trouble managing money or medicines

• Are increasingly confused

• Show warning signs mentioned above

Get help right away if:

• Sudden severe confusion

• Sudden severe memory loss

• Can’t care for themselves

• Dangerous behavior

Remember: Early evaluation leads to better outcomes. Many conditions causing memory problems are treatable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alzheimer’s Disease