10 early signs of Alzheimer’s disease Change plays a big role in the ag- ing process. As adults age, both their minds and bodies undergo changes. The changes associated with aging are not uniform. Some people may experience small changes as they inch toward and ultimately pass retirement age, while others may undergo changes that affect nearly every aspect of their lives. 1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life: Examples of this symptom include forgetting recently learned in- formation; forgetting important dates and events; and asking for the same information over and over. 2. Challenges in planning or solving problems: Someone exhibit- ing this symptom may have trouble following a recipe or paying monthly bills. 3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home at work or at leisure: Forgetting the rules of a favorite game or experiencing trouble driving to a familiar location are some exam- ples of this symptom. 4. Confusion with time or place: People with Alzheimer’s lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. 5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: Some people with Alzheimer’s have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. 6. New problems with words in speaking or writing: Difficulty joining or continuing a conversation and calling things by the wrong name are some examples of this symptom. 7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: People with Alzheimer’s sometimes put things in unusual places and then cannot re- trace their steps to find those things. 8. Decreased or poor judgment: Poor judgment and decision-making often affects people with Alzheimer’s. 9. Withdrawal from work or social activities: People with this symptom may begin to withdraw from favor- ite activities or avoid being social because of the changes they’re expe- riencing. 10. Changes in mood and person- ality: Mood changes affect people with Alzheimer’s, who may become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious.