The signature of Alzheimer's disease is memory loss and one of the first clues to the disease is forgetfulness, whether that be forgetting recently learned telephone numbers of forgetting about appointments not just occasionally, but on a regular basis for example. As Alzheimer's advances the loss of memory becomes more deeper and complex where sufferers can forget their own name or fail to recognize loved ones.

Symptom 2: Difficulty accomplishing everyday tasks

Alzheimer's sufferers can find everyday normal tasks such as using the telephone, preparing food and writing a letter for example both difficult to comprehend and accomplish, forgetting the steps or processes behind each of these 'simple' tasks. This isn't to be confused with someone struggling to work out a complex puzzle for example.

Symptom 3: Language difficulties

Alzheimer's sufferers can have problems with language, forgetting everyday simple words or swapping words with unusual ones. For example "spectacles" can become "those things for my eyes". Alzheimer's disease can also affect a person's writing skills with the writing reading disjointed or incoherent to the eye. This isn't to be confused with symptoms such as mental tiredness or fatigue which can also cause people to forget words or write unusually. For instance, one reported example of language difficulties in an Alzheimer's sufferer saw a pen described as a "thingy", and when asked 3 times what the pen was, the sufferer replied "thingy" again and again.

Symptom 4: Disorientation of time and place

Alzheimer's sufferers can get lost quite easily, even in their own neighborhood, forgetting how they arrived at their destination or how to get back to where they originally come from. Alzheimer's disease can also affect a person's sense of time or timing with some sufferers unable to differentiate between day and night. This isn't to be confused with simply losing one's way or getting lost in a 'foreign' neighborhood. One case of disorientation saw one sufferer become lost in their own home for example.

Symptom 5: Impaired judgment

One of the signs of Alzheimer's disease is impaired judgment where by the condition can affect a person's ability to judge to the point where the individual can for example wear winter clothing in the summer or fail to work out the true cost of grocery for instance. This isn't to be confused with poor decision making. We all make poor, rash or ill-advised decisions from time to time, some more often than not or more than others. But in Alzheimer's cases the impaired judgment is often blatant or obvious like wearing gloves and a scarf in hot weather for example.

Symptom 6: Abstract thinking difficulties

Alzheimer's suffers can find more complex forms of thinking tasks quite difficult to compute, struggling to comprehend numbers for example, what they are used for, how to use them and what real value they hold. This isn't to be confused with low intelligence or a lack of basic math skills. Such tasks as working out the equation of 2+2=5 can be difficult to an Alzheimer's sufferer.

Symptom 7: Misplacing objects and items

Another sign of Alzheimer's disease is the misplacing of objects and items such as putting a coffee jar in the fridge or dentures in the sock draw for example. This isn't to be confused with misplacing things like one's wallet or car keys. There is recorded evidence of sufferer's misplacing such things as a packet of cigarettes in the fridge or other obscure places.

Symptom 8: Mood or behavioral problems

Alzheimer's sufferers can experience extreme mood or behavioral changes such as happiness to sadness to calm to anger for no obvious or apparent reason. Some sufferers can also lash out violently without due course or reason. This isn't to be confused with everyday ups and downs of life in general. For example one case of this symptom saw a sufferer laugh hysterically at bad news, while others have hit-out at their loved ones and not known why or even forgetting what they did moments later.

Symptom 9: Personality changes

Alzheimer's sufferers can experience changes in their personality and can become confused, wary, paranoid, fearful, clingy, delusional or aggressive for example. While most people go through some personality changes especially as they get older, with Alzheimer's sufferers it can be quite sudden and very out of character.

Symptom 10: Loss of drive and initiative

Alzheimer's disease can affect a person's drive and imitative resulting in the individual becoming extremely passive and non-committal where they can for example sit in front of the TV for hours on end watching the same channel, sleep at unusual hours for long periods and generally look disinterested in everyday activities. This isn't to be confused with depression, boredom or tiredness.

If you, a friend or a member of your family recognize one or more of the above symptoms then it is advisable that professional advice is sought as one of the key stages of treating Alzheimer's is early detection.