Examples:  Forgets which bills are paid, which phone numbers are called frequently.

• Loses things. Forgets grocery list.
• Arrives at wrong time or place, or constantly rechecks calendar.
• “Mother’s not the same – she’s withdrawn, disinterested.”
• She spent all day making dinner and forgot to serve several courses.
• She paid the bills three times over, or didn’t pay for three months.

Second Stage:  2 to 10 years after diagnosis (longest stage) 
 

Symptoms:  Increasing memory loss and confusion – shorter attention span.

Problems recognizing close friends and/or family.
• Repetitive statements and/or movements.
• Restless, especially in late evening and at night.
• Occasional muscle twitches or jerking.
• Perceptual-motor problems.
• Difficulty organizing thoughts, thinking logically.
• Can’t find the right words – makes up stories to fill in blanks.
• Problems with reading, writing and numbers.
• May be suspicious, irritable, fidgety, teary or silly.
• Loss of impulse control – sloppy –won’t bathe or afraid to bathe – trouble dressing.
• Gains then loses weight.
• May see or hear things that are not there.
• Needs full-time supervision.
  

Examples:  Memory loss – Can’t remember visits immediately after you leave.

• Repetitive movements or statements.
• Sleeps often; awakens frequently at night and may get up and wander.
• Perceptual-motor problems – Difficulty getting into a chair, setting the table for a meal.
• Can’t find the right words.
• Problems with reading, numbers – Can’t follow written signs, write name, add or subtract.
• Suspicious – May accuse spouse of hiding things, infidelity, may act childish.
• Loss of impulse control – Sloppier table manners. May undress at inappropriate times or in the wrong place.
• Huge appetite for junk food and other people’s food; forgets when last meal was eaten, then gradually loses interest in food.
  

Terminal Stage:  1 to 3 years  

Symptoms:  can’t recognize family or self in mirror. 

• Loses weight even with good diet.
• Little capacity for self-care.
• Can’t communicate with words.
• May put everything in mouth or touch everything.
• Can’t control bowels, bladder.
• May have seizures, experience difficulty with swallowing, skin infections.
  

Examples:  Looks in mirror and talks to own image.

• Needs help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting.
• May groan, scream or make grunting sounds.
• May try to suck on everything.
• Sleeps more.