Early Signs of Alzheimer’s
Early Signs of Alzheimer's: The Self-Checklist That Could Save Your Future
Have you been misplacing your keys more often lately? What if those little memory lapses aren't just normal ageing but something you should actually worry about?
Hello there! After my mum started showing some concerning memory issues last year, I've been obsessively researching early Alzheimer's detection. What I've learnt from specialists at the NHS Memory Clinic might just help you spot the warning signs before they become impossible to ignore. Let's navigate this together, shall we?
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Memory Changes vs Normal Ageing: Spotting the Difference
Let's be honest – we all have those moments where we walk into a room and completely forget why we're there. It happens to everyone, doesn't it? But here's the tricky bit: how do you know when those little memory hiccups are just normal ageing and when they might be something more serious?
I remember last Christmas when my mum couldn't remember how to make her signature mince pies—a recipe she'd used for 30 years! That's when the alarm bells started ringing for our family. It wasn't just forgetting something new; it was forgetting something deeply familiar.
Normal Ageing vs Early Alzheimer's
According to specialists at the Oxford Memory Clinic I spoke with, there's a crucial distinction between typical age-related memory changes and potential warning signs. It's not about how often you forget things – it's about what you're forgetting and how it affects your daily life.
With normal ageing, you might forget where you put your glasses (again!) but eventually remember. You might struggle to recall a neighbour's name but remember it later. These are annoying, yes, but they don't fundamentally disrupt your ability to function independently.
With early Alzheimer's, there's a more concerning pattern – forgetting how to get to the local Tesco you've shopped at for years, not recognising a close family member, or having no recollection of major recent events like a grandchild's birthday party you attended last weekend.
The key difference isn't just forgetting – it's the inability to recover the information later, even with prompting or clues. And it's not just memory; early Alzheimer's often affects reasoning, judgement, and the ability to learn new information.
Brain ageing is as inevitable as those pesky grey hairs (which I've been dyeing for years now, if I'm being honest). But significant cognitive decline isn't an inevitable part of getting older. That's why spotting the difference matters – early intervention can make a world of difference with memory disorders.
And here's something you might not know – stress, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, and even certain medications can create symptoms that mimic dementia. That's why proper assessment is so important before jumping to conclusions.
10 Everyday Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
After my mum started showing some worrying symptoms, I spoke with Dr. Richardson at our local memory clinic in Manchester. She explained that Alzheimer's doesn't just appear overnight—there are subtle signs that can show up years before a formal diagnosis.
I've compiled these warning signs into a practical table. Some of them surprised me, as they weren't the obvious memory issues I'd expected. If you notice several of these happening consistently, it might be time for a proper assessment.
| Warning Sign | Normal Ageing | Potential Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term memory | Occasionally forgetting where you put your glasses | Asking the same question repeatedly within minutes |
| Familiar tasks | Taking longer to programme the telly | Unable to remember how to make your daily cup of tea |
| Language | Occasionally struggling to find the right word | Calling things by the wrong name (e.g., "that hand clock" for watch) |
| Time/Place | Momentarily forgetting what day it is | Getting lost on your regular walk to the local shops |
| Judgement | Making an occasional poor decision | Wearing winter coat during a heatwave |
| Abstract thinking | Struggling with complicated maths | Unable to recognise numbers or perform basic calculations |
| Misplacing items | Misplacing keys but retracing steps to find them | Putting items in inappropriate places (iron in fridge) |
| Mood changes | Occasional irritability when routine is disrupted | Rapid mood swings for no apparent reason |
| Initiative | Sometimes feeling weary about social obligations | Withdrawing from lifelong hobbies (e.g., quitting weekly bridge club) |
| Personality | Becoming a bit set in your ways | Dramatic personality changes (e.g., becoming suddenly suspicious) |
Something important to remember: having one or even a few of these signs doesn't automatically mean Alzheimer's. Many conditions, including depression, medication side effects, vitamin deficiencies, and thyroid problems can cause similar symptoms.
After noticing my mum putting her house keys in the sugar jar, I was properly worried. But it was actually when she stopped halfway through making her famous Yorkshire puddings—something she'd done hundreds of times—and couldn't remember the next step that really scared us. That's when we decided it was time to talk to our GP.
Your Personal At-Home Assessment Guide
While nothing replaces a proper medical evaluation, there are some simple assessments you can do at home to gauge whether it's time to speak with your GP. I tried these with my mum before our appointment, and they helped us articulate our concerns more clearly to the doctor.
These assessments aren't diagnostic tools and shouldn't replace professional medical advice. They're simply a starting point for conversations with healthcare providers.
Simple At-Home Assessments
Here are several activities adapted from screening tools used by medical professionals. You can try these with yourself or observe a loved one:
- Clock Drawing Test: Draw a clock face showing 11:10. This tests multiple cognitive functions including comprehension, planning, visual memory and reconstruction, visuospatial abilities, motor programming and execution, and abstract thinking.
- Three-Item Recall: Have someone name three common objects (like apple, table, penny), then ask them to repeat the words immediately. Then, engage in conversation about something else for 5 minutes before asking them to recall those three items. Normal ageing might cause slight delays in recall, but complete inability to remember any items could be concerning.
- Category Fluency: Set a timer for one minute and try to name as many animals as possible. Most healthy adults can name at least 15-20. Significantly fewer might warrant further assessment.
- Simple Calculations: Try calculations without a calculator, like 100 minus 7, then minus 7 again, and so on (100, 93, 86...). Difficulty with basic calculations that were previously manageable could be a warning sign.
- Recent Memory Check: Ask about a major news event from the past week, a recent family gathering, or last night's dinner. Complete inability to recall recent significant events merits attention.
When I tried the clock test with my mum, she placed all the numbers on one side of the clock face. With the three-item recall, she couldn't remember a single word after our brief chat about the weather. These results weren't definitive proof of anything, but they gave us concrete examples to share with our GP.
Track Changes Over Time
One of the best ways to assess cognitive changes is to track them over time. What I wish I'd done earlier was keep a simple journal of things I noticed with my mum. Here's what I recommend:
- Keep a small notebook or use your phone to document instances of concerning memory lapses or unusual behavior
- Note the date, what happened, and the context
- Track how often these instances occur (occasional vs. increasing frequency)
- Look for patterns (worse in the evening? after taking medication?)
- Record both new and established skills affected
This information can be invaluable when consulting healthcare professionals, as it provides concrete examples rather than vague concerns. Our GP said this documentation was incredibly helpful for the referral to the memory clinic.
NHS Resources and When to Seek Professional Help
If your at-home assessment raises concerns, it's time to tap into the excellent resources available through our NHS. I can't stress this enough—early intervention is absolutely crucial with cognitive decline. When my family finally sought help for mum, I was impressed by the support available, though I wish we'd acted sooner.
First Steps with the NHS
Your GP is the gateway to NHS memory services. When we visited our local surgery, our doctor conducted an initial assessment using standardized screening tools. She was thorough, compassionate, and didn't dismiss our concerns as "just getting old"—something I'd worried about.
Based on this assessment, our GP made a referral to the local Memory Assessment Service—specialized clinics within the NHS that provide comprehensive evaluations. The waiting time varies by location (ours was about 8 weeks), but there are things you can do while waiting.
The memory assessment typically includes cognitive tests, brain scans, blood tests to rule out other causes, and detailed conversations about daily functioning. It's thorough and might take several appointments—our process took about three months from GP referral to diagnosis.
Essential NHS Services and Support
The NHS offers several specialized services for those with memory concerns:
- Memory Assessment Services: Specialized clinics for diagnosis and initial treatment plans
- Admiral Nurses: Specialist dementia nurses providing practical and emotional support
- Community Mental Health Teams: Providing ongoing support for those with dementia
- Cognitive Stimulation Therapy: Group sessions designed to improve memory and problem-solving
- Social Services Assessment: Evaluating needs for support at home
We were assigned a dedicated memory nurse who became our lifeline, guiding us through the NHS system and connecting us with additional resources. Don't be afraid to ask questions—the system can be complicated, but there are brilliant professionals ready to help.
Beyond the NHS: Additional Support
Several excellent UK charities complement NHS services:
The Alzheimer's Society (0333 150 3456) offers a Dementia Connect support line with advisers who can connect you with local services. Their website also has excellent resources for both patients and carers.
Other valuable resources include Dementia UK's Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline (0800 888 6678), Age UK's advice line (0800 678 1602), and local support groups that can provide practical advice and emotional support from others on the same journey.
When mum was finally diagnosed, we were overwhelmed with information. The memory nurse suggested we contact our local Alzheimer's Society branch, which connected us with a monthly café meet-up. Meeting other families facing similar challenges was perhaps the most helpful resource of all—we picked up practical tips no website could provide and found genuine understanding.
Remember, seeking help isn't admitting defeat—it's being proactive about health. The current treatments work best when started early, and even without a diagnosis, there are many support services available to help navigate memory challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Forgetfulness can be caused by numerous conditions besides Alzheimer's. Stress, depression, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies (especially B12), medication side effects, and other medical conditions can all affect memory. Even sleep apnoea and hearing loss have been linked to cognitive difficulties that might mimic dementia symptoms. This is why a proper medical assessment is crucial—many of these conditions are treatable, and addressing them can significantly improve cognitive function. In our case, the GP first tested mum for thyroid issues and vitamin deficiencies before referring her to the memory clinic.
Having a family history increases your risk, but it absolutely doesn't mean you'll definitely develop Alzheimer's. Most cases are not directly inherited in a predictable pattern. Even in families with multiple affected members, many individuals never develop the disease. Current research suggests that Alzheimer's results from a complex interaction between genetic factors, lifestyle, and environment. That's why adopting a brain-healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, regardless of family history. Diet, exercise, mental stimulation, social connection, and managing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can all help reduce risk. My grandmother had Alzheimer's too, but my mum's brother is in his 80s with no signs of cognitive decline, despite sharing the same genetics.
This confused our family at first too. Dementia is actually an umbrella term describing a set of symptoms that include problems with memory, thinking, problem-solving, language and perception. It's not a disease itself, but rather a collection of symptoms caused by different diseases affecting the brain. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for about 60-70% of cases in the UK. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Each type has somewhat different symptoms, progression patterns, and sometimes treatment approaches. This is why getting a specific diagnosis matters—our memory specialist explained that identifying the type of dementia helps determine the most appropriate treatment and support plan.
Final Thoughts
Looking back on our journey with mum's diagnosis, I wish we'd recognised the signs sooner. The subtle changes we dismissed as "just getting older" were actually valuable clues that could have led to earlier intervention. That's why I wanted to share this checklist with you.
Remember, noticing these warning signs isn't about expecting the worst—it's about being proactive with brain health. Many conditions that mimic dementia symptoms are completely reversible with proper treatment. And even with Alzheimer's, early diagnosis opens doors to treatments, clinical trials, and support services that can significantly improve quality of life.
If this article has raised concerns for you, please don't sit with those worries alone. Reach out to your GP, call the Alzheimer's Society helpline, or even just share your thoughts with a trusted friend. Taking that first step might feel daunting, but you don't have to navigate this journey by yourself—there's support available every step of the way.
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