Alzheimer's disease is NOT NORMAL AGEING. If any of the following 10 warning signs* are experienced, it is advisable to see a doctor:

1. Memory loss affecting everyday functioning.
   It is normal at any age to forget things, especially if we have many things on our minds. When we relax we usually remember what we forgot earlier. A general rule of thumb is - if you remember that you have forgotten something, you are probably OK. But when frequent forgetfulness or unexplained confusion interferes with your ability to get through the day, eg. unable to perform your normal daily routines or job, it could indicate that something is wrong.
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
   It is easy to become distracted from routine tasks such as making a cup of tea and putting 3 spoons of sugar in instead of 1. But a person with AD may no longer remember the steps to be able to make a cup of tea in the first place, let alone how much sugar they like in it.
3. Problems with language.
   If we can imagine our brain having a dictionary inside it that allows us to use and understand language, when AD sets in, it progressively "rips out" pages of that dictionary. Hence the person with AD no longer knows words, or they may make up words, or they may no longer understand words that they hear or read.
4. Disorientation of time and place.
   A person with AD might be walking in the street where they have lived for many years, yet not know where they are, how they got there or how to get back.
5. Poor or decreased judgement.
   All of us make mistakes in judgement from time to time eg. forgetting to take an umbrella in the rain. But a person with AD may wear several jumpers on a hot day, or put their underwear on over clothes and not realise that this is inappropriate.
6. Problems with abstract thinking.
   Many of us may have difficulty balancing our cheque book. But even basic maths becomes impossible for people with AD.
7. Misplacing things.
   A person with AD often puts things in inappropriate places and forgets where they are or how they got there. Family members and carers are then often accused of "stealing" by the person with AD.
8. Changes in mood or behaviour.
   People with AD experience rapid and extreme mood swings and behaviour changes for no apparent reasons.
9. Changes in personality.
   Our personality is usually relatively consistant throughout life. In a person with AD however, personality changes are often apparent. These changes may be sudden or gradual. A person who was always happy and easy going may become angry, suspicious and fearful.
10. Loss of initiative.
    There is a continuing disinterest in normal hobbies and pursuits. All of us experience some of these symptoms from time to time, yet most of us will never develop Alzheimer's disease. It is when these symptoms continue unabated, progressively get worse and interfere with daily life that medical advice should be sought.

* Adapted from the Alzheimer's Association of America Web Page.