Memory loss is the key symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Early signs include difficulty remembering recent events or conversations. But memory gets worse and other symptoms develop as the disease progresses.  At first, someone with the disease may be aware of having trouble remembering things and thinking clearly. As symptoms get worse, a family member or friend may be more likely to notice the issues. Brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease lead to growing trouble with: Memory Everyone has memory lapses at times, but the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease persists and gets worse. Over time, memory loss affects the ability to function at work or at home. People with Alzheimer's disease may:  Repeat statements and questions over and over. Forget conversations, appointments or events. Misplace items, often putting them in places that don't make sense. Get lost in places they used to know well. Eventually forget the names of family members and everyday objects. Have trouble finding the right words for objects, expressing thoughts or taking part in conversations.  Thinking and reasoning Alzheimer's disease causes difficulty concentrating and thinking, especially about abstract concepts such as numbers. Doing more than one task at once is especially difficult. It may be challenging to manage finances, balance checkbooks and pay bills on time. Eventually, a person with Alzheimer's disease may be unable to recognize and deal with numbers. Making judgments and decisions Alzheimer's disease causes a decline in the ability to make sensible decisions and judgments in everyday situations. For example, a person may make poor choices in social settings or wear clothes for the wrong type of weather. It may become harder for someone to respond to everyday problems. For example, the person may not know how to handle food burning on the stove or decisions when driving. Planning and performing familiar tasks Routine activities that require completing steps in order become a struggle. This may include planning and cooking a meal or playing a favorite game. Eventually, people with advanced Alzheimer's disease forget how to do basic tasks such as dressing and bathing. Changes in personality and behavior Brain changes that occur in Alzheimer's disease can affect moods and behaviors. Problems may include the following:  Depression. Loss of interest in activities. Social withdrawal. Mood swings. Distrust in others. Anger or aggression. Changes in sleeping habits. Wandering. Loss of inhibitions. Delusions, such as believing something has been stolen.  Preserved skills Despite major changes to memory and skills, people with Alzheimer's disease are able to hold on to some skills even as symptoms get worse. Preserved skills may include reading or listening to books, telling stories, sharing memories, singing, listening to music, dancing, drawing, or doing crafts. These skills may be preserved longer because they're controlled by parts of the brain affected later in the course of the disease.
memory loss key symptom alzheimer's disease  early signs include difficulty remembering recent events conversations  memory worse symptoms develop disease progresses   first  disease may aware trouble remembering thinking clearly  symptoms worse  family member friend may likely notice issues  brain changes associated alzheimer's disease lead growing trouble with: memory memory lapses times  memory loss associated alzheimer's disease persists worse  time  memory loss affects ability function work home  people alzheimer's disease may:  repeat statements questions over  forget conversations  appointments events  misplace items  putting places don't sense  lost places know well  eventually forget names family members everyday objects  trouble finding right words objects  expressing thoughts taking part conversations   thinking reasoning alzheimer's disease causes difficulty concentrating thinking  especially abstract concepts numbers  task once especially difficult  may challenging manage finances  balance checkbooks pay bills time  eventually  person alzheimer's disease may unable recognize deal numbers  making judgments decisions alzheimer's disease causes decline ability sensible decisions judgments everyday situations  example  person may poor choices social settings wear clothes wrong type weather  may harder respond everyday problems  example  person may know handle food burning stove decisions driving  planning performing familiar tasks routine activities require completing steps order struggle  may include planning cooking meal playing favorite game  eventually  people advanced alzheimer's disease forget basic tasks dressing bathing  changes personality behavior brain changes occur alzheimer's disease can affect moods behaviors  problems may include following:  depression  loss interest activities  social withdrawal  mood swings  distrust others  anger aggression  changes sleeping habits  wandering  loss inhibitions  delusions  believing stolen   preserved skills major changes memory skills  people alzheimer's disease able hold skills symptoms worse  preserved skills may include reading listening books  telling stories  sharing memories  singing  listening music  dancing  drawing  crafts  skills may preserved longer they're controlled parts brain affected later course disease
alzheimers disease