They may find it difficult to:

• Follow familiar recipes

• Balance a household budget

• Manage monthly bills

• Keep track of appointments

• Follow multiple-step instructions

• Organize daily responsibilities

These changes may reflect difficulties with attention, reasoning, or executive function.

Everyone makes occasional mistakes, but persistent difficulty with familiar tasks deserves evaluation.

3. Confusion About Time or Place

Another possible early sign involves becoming disoriented.

A person may:

• Forget the date or season

• Lose track of time

• Become confused about where they are

• Have difficulty following directions in familiar places

• Miss scheduled events because they lose track of time

Some individuals may become lost while driving routes they have used for years.

Because disorientation can increase the risk of injury, it should never be ignored.

4. Changes in Judgment, Personality, or Social Behavior

Alzheimer's disease can affect more than memory.

Some individuals experience noticeable changes in:

• Decision-making

• Social interactions

• Mood

• Motivation

• Personal hygiene

• Financial judgment

Examples may include:

• Wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather

• Becoming unusually suspicious

• Withdrawing from hobbies or social activities

• Spending money impulsively

• Showing reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities

Family members often notice these changes before the individual does.

Other Symptoms That May Occur

As Alzheimer's progresses, additional symptoms may develop.

These can include:

• Difficulty finding the right words

• Misplacing objects and being unable to retrace steps

• Trouble understanding visual information

• Difficulty following conversations

• Poor judgment

• Increased confusion

• Changes in sleep patterns

• Anxiety or depression

Not everyone experiences symptoms in the same order or at the same pace.