Alzheimer's Disease: It's More Than Just Forgetting
Channel: Alzheimer's & Dementia Resources
Date: 2016-06-22

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When most people hear the term “Alzheimer’s disease” they immediately think of older people experiencing forgetfulness and dealing with memory loss.  However, it’s important to know that for people with Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss is just one of the many problems they struggle with. It’s also important to understand that Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal disease of the brain, so it’s about much more than just forgetfulness.

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, more and more of the brain is impacted and eventually every aspect of daily living becomes impaired.  Eventually, the person becomes unable to care for themselves and is bedridden.

While memory problems are frequently the first noticeable symptom, this is not always the case.  As a matter of fact, there are 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and any one them could be the first symptom we notice.

Understanding how Alzheimer’s disease affects people is very important if we are going to be dealing with them or their family or caregivers.  Unless we can appreciate what they are going through, we’ll have a difficult time relating to them.

One of the most frustrating aspects of Alzheimer’s disease is how it impacts a person’s ability to communicate.  Imagine how you would feel if suddenly you could understand only every other word of those who were talking to you.  People with Alzheimer’s have good days and bad days, and some people have reported that on a bad day, it’s like everyone is speaking a foreign language.

Visual perception is also affected by Alzheimer’s, so it is very common for a person to have accidents, like putting a coffee cup down and missing the table. Carpets or tile floors that have a checkerboard pattern can be very difficult, as the dark squares on the floor can look like holes you might fall into.

Alzheimer’s also affects a person’s ability to plan and organize, and they can be distracted easily.  And with all these challenges causing frustration, a person with Alzheimer’s may have changes in their personality and mood as well.

So as you can see, Alzheimer’s disease is indeed about a lot more than just forgetfulness.  Only when we appreciate the ways that Alzheimer’s disease affects a person and how it progresses can we really begin to be effective supporting them and their families and caregivers as they struggle with such a wide variety of challenges.

For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, call our nationwide, 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.  We're here day or night with information, emotional support, caregiving tools and referrals to healthcare, financial and legal resources with translation services available in 170 languages.


It is important to understand that Alzheimer’s disease affects the entire brain and not merely the memory.  Although memory loss is what most people think of with Alzheimer’s disease, it causes dementia, which affects all of the cognitive functions and eventually, death.  The forgetfulness, memory loss, or “senior moments” in the beginning of the disease are just that: merely the beginning.  It is important that we understand that the dementia caused by Alzheimer’s is the biggest facet of the disease to the observer, but all dementia is not fatal in and of itself.  Alzheimer’s is always fatal. Furthermore, while forgetfulness and memory lapses are usually the first noticeable sign, there are actually 10 warning signs.  Any of the 10 warning signs can be the first issue that is noticed, though problems with memory are most commonly the first.

What should you do if you notice increased memory issues in yourself or a loved one?  First, don’t assume the worst.  Stress or depression can cause forgetfulness and memory lapses.  It’s only when a doctor assesses you and determines that it is inferring with your daily life can he consider calling it dementia.  Additionally, to be called dementia, there has to be at least two symptoms of cognitive impairment, and memory loss is just one.

If a doctor says that you have dementia, then that is only the first step.  The next step is to determine what is causing the dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the number one cause of dementia, but there are many others. Some of the other causes of these symptoms are reversible. Whether you or a loved one are concerned about memory loss, forgetfulness, memory lapses or dementia, you can call the Alzheimer’s association 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800.272.3900.  We are always available and have translation services available in 170 languages.