When Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed early, the loss of abilities is often mild. At this stage, people with the disease, as well as their family, friends, co-workers, and medical practitioners, start to notice that they are struggling with communicating and logical thinking. At this stage, people can often continue living as they did before. They should be encouraged to participate in their own health decisions and help plan for their future care. In addition to medications, healthy lifestyle choices – including eating well, keeping mentally and physically active, staying connected to other people and finding ways to reduce stress – may slow the progression of the disease. Treatments may work best when started early, allowing a person with the disease more time to continue living independently.
The following table will help you understand the types of symptoms that occur at the mild stage of Alzheimer's disease:
| Symptom | What may occur |
|---|
Cognitive and memory problems may appear | - Can make structured sentences and express himself/herself fluently but confuses and forgets names and words; makes up words, or stops talking to avoid mistakes
- Repeats questions, phrases or stories, in the same conversation
- Disoriented about time and place; becomes lost in unfamiliar places
- Trouble concentrating and learning new things; avoidance of change
- Withdraws from social and mental challenges
- Misplaces valuable possessions: hides things or puts them in strange places and then forgets where they are
- Difficulty handling challenges at work
|
Communication problems and mild forgetfulness begin | - May converse "normally" until a memory lapse occurs
- Able to respond to what people are saying, even if he or she has trouble keeping up with a conversation
- Increasing difficulty understanding books, newspapers and other reading material
|
Personality changes occur | - Mood shifts, depression
- Apathetic, withdrawn, avoids people
- Anxious, irritable, agitated
- Exhibits repetitive behaviour
- Easily angered when frustrated, tired, rushed or surprised
- Withdraws from social and mental challenges
|
Physical changes begin | - Mild coordination problems
|
