Early Onset Alzheimer's Symptoms & How to Spot Them

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When memory loss with aging starts to disrupt one's daily life, it could be a symptom of a form of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's causes a gradual decline in an individual's memory, thinking and reasoning skills.

If anyone close to you is developing Alzheimer's, there may be warning signs indicating the progression of the disease. Alzheimer's typically occurs after age 65; however, some adults may develop the disease earlier, known as early onset Alzheimer's. According to Mayo Clinic, five to six percent of people with Alzheimer's develop symptoms before age 65.

It's essential to educate yourself about Alzheimer's symptoms if you want to find the best way to help your loved one. Sagecare's memory care facilities can lend you a helping hand in the process as our specialized staff are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to assist seniors with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.

What is Early Onset Alzheimer's?

Early onset or younger-onset Alzheimer's is an uncommon form of dementia that affects people under the age of 65. Most early onset Alzheimer's diseases are the same, but there are a few differences in some cases. The first type is common Alzheimer's, which is more common and occurs when the disease progresses similarly to older people. The second type is genetic or familial Alzheimer's, a rare form where people have genes that directly contribute to Alzheimer disease and can start showing symptoms as early as their 30s.

Early Onset Alzheimer Symptoms

Early onset Alzheimer symptoms are similar to regular Alzheimer symptoms.

Memory Loss

One of the most common Alzheimer's symptoms is memory loss. You may notice your loved one constantly forgetting things, such as whether or not they ate food, names of close people, or locations of frequently visited places.

When you notice memory loss occurring at an early age, it may be one of the many early onset Alzheimer symptoms. During this time, it's important to help your loved one slow down the progression of the disease by helping them engage in physical and mental activities. Sagecare offers practical memory care activities for seniors to improve their cognitive functioning. Memory-engaging activities can stimulate their brain and help them feel productive, which may improve their mood. 

Lapses in Judgement

One of the other Alzheimer symptoms you may observe in your parent or another family member with early onset Alzheimer's is their loss of judgement. They may have trouble with decision-making due to poor or decreased judgement.

A person with Alzheimer's disease may not change clothes daily if they cannot decide to wear or fall for email scams and end up losing money or personal information. It might become challenging for them to make the right decisions as their brain will start to function differently.

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Inability to Complete Daily Tasks

If you notice someone consistently unable to complete daily tasks they were previously familiar with, you might be witnessing one of the early symptoms of Alzheimer. Individuals with Alzheimer's may not be able to change their clothes, cook meals, or drive a motor vehicle.

Repeating the Same Questions

Alzheimer's impacts an individual's ability to remember things or comprehend words or sentences, so you may notice that your loved one is asking for the same information multiple times. The best way to deal with this is by providing them with the information they seek without making them feel uncomfortable about the situation. You can slowly repeat what you said to ensure that they receive the answers.

Withdrawal from Social Situations

A person with dementia goes through various changes as the symptoms start to occur. A combination of the different symptoms might make them feel uninterested in socializing with others. This could lead to withdrawal from social situations. However, it is crucial for individuals with dementia to maintain social relationships with others as research reveals that staying mentally active and frequently participating in social activities can delay cognitive decline and the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

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Losing or Misplacing Things

It is usual for someone with Alzheimer's to forget where they kept their belongings, such as car keys, medication, or important documents. You can help them by organizing their place and placing things in a way that is visible to them. Labelling drawers or cabinets can also be helpful as it will remind them where they may find the item they may have misplaced.

Behaviour & Personality Changes

In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, you may notice some behaviour and personality changes, including anxiety, depression, anger, and irritability. This symptom is common in many forms of dementia. Among the 7 dementia stages, mood changes are often noticeable within the first few stages. 

Treatments for Early Onset Alzheimer's

There is no cure for early onset Alzheimer's, but once you've determined what are the symptoms of Alzheimer's, it's important to find treatment for your loved one to help them cope with the disease.

Memory Care

Sagecare offers specialized care for seniors with various forms of dementia. Our staff team with trained nurses and care specialists understand the differences between early onset Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. When attempting to identify the difference between Alzheimer's disease vs dementia, it's essential to know that these two terms don't refer to the same disease. Dementia is a general term that refers to a decline in mental stability, whereas Alzheimer's is a form of dementia.

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Medication

Healthcare providers can prescribe specific medication to help people with early onset Alzheimer's to maintain their mental function, control behaviour, and slow the progress of the disease. It's essential to consult a specialist for medication as they can determine what type of medication will best suit the individual experiencing early symptoms of Alzheimer.

Living with Early Onset Alzheimer's

It can be challenging for some people to deal with early onset Alzheimer's, especially if the Alzheimer's symptoms appear at a younger age. However, early diagnosis can help them manage their symptoms and reduce mental decline by getting the necessary help.

If your loved one needs help managing early onset Alzheimer's, our specialized staff will welcome them to Sagecare's big family and provide assistance to improve their quality of life.