The victim also may have less ability to discriminate, may react more slowly, and be more easily angered. As time passes and the disease progresses, the disability becomes obvious to others, initially to those closest to the person. The victim may need some supervision at this point. Speech, comprehension, and decision making may be slower. The ability to plan and calculate is reduced.
Disorientation is common as memory problems increase.
Behavior may change markedly, and the victim may have difficulty recognizing people. Memory of the recent past will be increasingly poor or failing, and the victim becomes passive and does not initiate activities. Full time supervision may be necessary as the victim becomes apathetic and remote memory declines. The victim is likely to become confused, incontinent, and unable to carry out personal care activities, such as bathing, grooming and eating. The person who suffers memory loss and intellectual impairment also suffers a devastating loss of personal dignity and confidence.