Will you see signs this holiday season?

The holidays are times for relatives to gather from near and far to celebrate the season. Often, this may be the only occasion all year that they get together, and family members often begin to notice small alterations in loved ones that might not have been visible the year before. "It's important for family members to follow up with someone if they noticed subtle changes in family members," urges Peter Reed, senior director of programs for the Alzheimer's Association, Chicago.

Everyone forgets a name or misplaces keys occasionally. Many healthy people are less able to remember certain kinds of information as they get older. The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are much more severe than simple memory lapses, however. People with Alzheimer's experience difficulties communicating, thinking, reasoning, and learning--problems serious enough to have an impact on an individual's work, social activities, and family life.

Here are some warning signs:

Memory loss. Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later. What's normal. Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.

Difficulty performing familiar tasks. Individuals with dementia often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps involved in preparing a meal, placing a telephone call, or playing a game. What's normal: Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.

Problems with language. People with Alzheimer's disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual ones, making their speech or writing hard to understand. For example, they may be unable to find their toothbrush and instead ask for "that thing for my mouth." What's normal: Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

Disorientation to time and place. Those with Alzheimer's disease can become lost in their own neighborhood, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home. What's normal: Forgetting the day of the week or walking into another room and not remembering why you went there.

Poor or decreased judgment. Persons with Alzheimer's may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment, like giving away large sums of money. What's normal: Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.

Trouble with abstract thinking. The individual may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are for and how they should be used. What's normal. Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.

Misplacing things. A person may put items in unusual places, such as an iron in the freezer or wristwatch in the sugar bowl. What's normal: Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.

Changes in mood or behavior. Someone with Alzheimer's disease may show rapid mood swings--from calm to tears to anger--for no apparent reason. What's normal: Occasionally feeling sad or moody.

Changes in personality. The personalities of people with dementia can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful, or dependent on a family member. What's normal. People's personalities do change somewhat with age. They become less flexible or reluctant to try new things; however, normal changes generally are not dramatic.

Loss of initiative. An individual may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual, or not wanting to do usual activities. What's normal: Sometimes feeling weary of work and social obligations.

If you recognize any warning signs in yourself or a loved one, the Alzheimer's Association recommends consulting a physician. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other disorders causing dementia is an important step to getting appropriate treatment, care, and support services.

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning