Your mother has Alzheimer’s. It’s completely natural to wonder how you might have missed the early signs, which can be very subtle at first, often mistaken for normal aging or stress. Memory lapses, mood changes and small mistakes in judgment can be easy to overlook until they become more pronounced. As for your own risk, genetics can play a role, but lifestyle factors and overall health also contribute. If you’re concerned, it might be helpful to speak with a doctor, especially if there’s a family history. It’s imperative to be proactive about this. Here are some key early warning signs to watch for:
Memory and Thinking Changes
- Frequent forgetfulness – Forgetting names, conversations or recent events more often than usual
- Repeating questions or stories – Asking the same thing repeatedly without realizing it
- Misplacing items in odd places – Like putting keys in the fridge or a phone in the laundry
Problem-Solving and Judgment Issues
- Difficulty with plans or finances – Struggling to follow a recipe, pay bills or manage money
- Trouble making decisions – Poor judgment, like wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather
Language and Communication Struggles
- Pauses in conversation – Struggling to find the right words or stopping mid-sentence
- Mixing up words – Calling a “watch” a “hand clock” or a “spoon” a “food scooper”
Behavior and Mood Changes
- Increased confusion – Getting lost in familiar places or forgetting the day
- Mood swings or personality changes – Becoming more anxious, irritable or withdrawn
- Loss of interest in hobbies – Avoiding activities once enjoyed, like reading or socializing
When to Be Concerned
If these issues interfere with daily life, it’s worth checking with a doctor. Occasional forgetfulness (like losing keys but remembering later) is normal. Consistently struggling is more concerning.
At The Memory Center, we specialize in the early detection of neurodegenerative disease and memory problems. We thoroughly evaluate all possible risk factors and perform a comprehensive exam of your neurological system. Recent advances have significantly enhanced our ability to detect dementia in earlier stages. One major risk factor for dementia is genetics. Biomarkers are biological molecules or characteristics that indicate abnormal processes or diseases. Over the past few years, tests have emerged that can identify dementia-promoting compounds in the blood years before symptoms develop. At the Memory Center, an in-house lab technician will collect a comprehensive list of blood biomarkers that can play a crucial role in the early detection of dementia.
Our team of board-certified physicians, including a neurologist and internist, along with a full staff of highly trained technologists, will do physiological and computerized cognitive diagnostics and order genetic and imaging testing. Armed with all this information, we will create a unique, customized therapy plan, which may include pharmaceutical agents and non-invasive treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation and light therapy, known as photobiomodulation (PBM).
We accept Medicare and all major insurance plans. Call us at 201-947-4777 to schedule an appointment or visit our website: MemoryCenter.org.
Dr. Jeff Shenfeld is the director of the Memory Center of Englewood.
