World Alzheimer’s Day: 5 Symptoms You May Have Missed

21st September marks World Alzheimer’s Day, with Alzheimer’s Awareness Month shining a light on the disease and challenges the attitude that dementia is a normal part of ageing.

It is estimated that 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2024. Research shows there are more than 944,000 people in the UK who have dementia. 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK.

This degenerative brain disease is caused by damage to nerve cells in the brain which are responsible for memory, language, problem-solving, and thought processes.

While Alzheimer’s is most commonly associated with memory loss, there are a number of lesser-known symptoms that can show up before the more obvious cognitive decline, which may be mistaken as part of ageing.

Jamie Winn PharmD, at Universal Drugstore, has commented on 5 lesser-known symptoms of Alzheimer’s to be aware of:

Social Isolation

Having less desire to socialise may sound completely understandable in older age, but social isolation may be hiding a bigger issue. People developing Alzheimer’s may withdraw from social activities or engagements because of difficulties holding conversations, interactions or they find keeping to plans stressful and confusing. In turn, isolation may mean that other symptoms go unnoticed for longer.

Difficulty with financial decisions

It’s normal to make occasional mistakes when managing finances or household bills, but difficulty handling finances can be a telltale sign of Alzheimer’s. This is because financial decisions require us to use complex cognitive processes in our brains, which can highlight the decline in executive function much more than other tasks.

Socially inappropriate behaviour

A decline in executive function can also lead to more impulsive and socially inappropriate behaviour. If a usually polite person starts using language you’ve never heard from them before, making hurtful or tactless comments or even flirtatious or sexual comments to others, this could be a sign.

Vision impairment

As changes to vision are common in ageing, this Alzheimer’s symptom may go overlooked. Unlike cataracts or general deterioration, Alzheimer’s sufferers may face a sudden impairment to their vision such as difficulty judging distance, colour, and contrast.

Paranoia

People with Alzheimer’s can sometimes suffer from delusions, false beliefs, and paranoia, which is very difficult for the people closest to them. Memory-related symptoms of the disease, such as misplacing and losing things can become confusing, which may cause paranoia and accusations such as people stealing from them.

Speaking on the possibility of treatment, Jamie commented:
“​​It is possible to have dementia-like symptoms without having dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and these symptoms aren't always indicative of a degenerative brain disease. You could be experiencing symptoms of treatable illnesses such as depression, sleep disorders, thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies, or Lyme disease. That’s why it’s so important to seek the advice of a medical professional if you notice any changes in yourself or a loved one. Unlike Alzheimer’s and dementia, the cognitive symptoms brought on by these illnesses can be treated and even reversed with medication.

"As it stands, there are developments and clinical trials for drugs that can help to change the biology of the disease and slow down the degenerative effects of Alzheimer’s. However, there are still concerns with side effects and long-term effectiveness which means new drugs are not readily manufactured. The most common course of treatment besides medications involve things to improve quality of life, such as therapies, memory exercises, and physical activity.”