It’s More Than Memory Loss: Recognising the Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

We often associate Alzheimer’s disease with forgetting names, losing keys, or repeating the same question. But the earliest changes can sometimes appear in other parts of everyday life — and they may be easy to dismiss as stress, ageing, or simply being distracted. Memory loss is not the sole symptom of Alzheimer’s disease; it can also affect thinking, problem-solving, language, orientation, behaviour, and social functioning. The emergence of any of these symptoms can also affect an individual's ability to function independently. However, it is worth noting that experiencing one of these signs does not automatically mean someone has Alzheimer’s. Many can have other causes, but persistent or worsening changes should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

One of the less obvious early changes can be difficulty finding your way around places that were once familiar. They may suddenly struggle to follow a familiar route. They may have difficulty understanding where they are or how to get somewhere familiar. This can relate to changes in orientation and spatial awareness, rather than simply forgetting an address.

Changes in everyday independence can also become noticeable in another area that many families may not immediately associate with Alzheimer’s: managing money, which can be a previously routine everyday task. Struggling to make decisions when it comes to financial matters can look like making unusual financial decisions that are out of character, or having difficulty handling bills and dealing with numbers. The cognitive changes brought about by Alzheimer’s can affect practical independence in the form of difficulties completing familiar tasks. This can include struggling to prepare a familiar meal or having difficulty using a household appliance they have used for years. It is important to note, however, that everyone makes occasional mistakes with money or forgets a step in a recipe. A potential warning sign of Alzheimer’s is when someone begins to consistently struggle with tasks they previously managed independently.

Alzheimer’s can also affect the way a person communicates, making it increasingly difficult to find words or follow conversations. This can present as a person struggling to find familiar words, leading them to use the wrong word for an object. They may also have difficulty following conversations and lose their train of thought. It is vital to stress that occasional word-finding difficulties are normal. What is more concerning is when they become frequent and begin interfering with communication.

Cognitive changes do not always appear in the way someone thinks or speaks. Sometimes, people close to them may notice changes in how they behave or interact with others. Early behavioural symptoms of Alzheimer’s could look like a person becoming more withdrawn and often avoiding social situations as a result of unusual anxiety or fear. They could also lose interest in their hobbies and lose confidence in activities they previously enjoyed. Changes in mood or behaviour can have many causes. However, when these changes are new, persistent, and occur alongside changes in thinking or everyday functioning, they are worth discussing with a healthcare professional. A key point is that sometimes the family notices the behavioural change before the person recognises that anything has changed.

If someone is experiencing persistent or worsening changes, the first step is to encourage them to speak with a healthcare professional in a sensitive manner, without being accusatory or confrontational. Additionally, you could keep track of specific changes in any of the areas mentioned above and when they occur. Recognising these changes does not mean diagnosing Alzheimer’s. But noticing that something has changed — particularly when those changes persist or begin to interfere with everyday life — can be an important first step towards seeking the right support.