When you’re caring for an aging parent, grandparent, or loved one, it’s natural to notice the occasional memory lapse or moment of confusion. After all, forgetfulness is often just a part of getting older. But when those changes become more frequent—or begin to interfere with daily life—they could be early signs of something more serious: Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

Alzheimer’s doesn’t develop overnight. It progresses slowly, often starting with subtle shifts in memory, behavior, or cognitive ability. And while the signs may be easy to overlook at first, recognizing them early can make a life-changing difference.

This blog will walk you through 10 key early warning signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, plus tips on what to do next if you spot them. Let’s dive in—because the more you know, the better you can care.

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Why Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Matters

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s in 2025, and that number is projected to climb to nearly 13 million by 2050.

Despite this growing number, many cases still go undiagnosed until the condition has significantly progressed. Early detection gives families more time to plan, access treatment options, participate in clinical trials, and arrange necessary home care support.

By recognizing the early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, you can help your loved one get the care they need while preserving their independence and dignity for as long as possible.

If a recent diagnosis has you thinking about care at home, Respire Homecare can help with equipment and support tailored to your loved one’s needs.
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1. Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life

While everyone forgets a name or appointment once in a while, persistent memory loss that affects daily functioning is one of the most common early signs of Alzheimer’s.

What to watch for:

  • Repeatedly asking for the same information
  • Forgetting important dates or events
  • Relying heavily on memory aids or family members
  • Getting lost in familiar places

Helpful tip:

Start a “memory tracker” to note how often your loved one forgets key information. This can help provide clear examples for a healthcare provider.

2. Difficulty with Planning or Problem Solving

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, many people struggle with executive functioning—the brain’s ability to plan, focus, follow steps, or manage time.

Signs might include:

  • Trouble following a familiar recipe
  • Inability to manage finances or pay bills on time
  • Getting overwhelmed by tasks that used to be easy
  • Losing track of medications or daily routines

A 2023 study in The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that financial mismanagement is often one of the earliest observable symptoms—sometimes years before a formal diagnosis.

What you can do:

  • Offer gentle support with bill-paying or task checklists
  • Create a visual calendar with color-coded reminders

3. Confusion About Time or Place

Occasional forgetfulness is normal, but losing track of where you are, how you got there, or what day it is may signal cognitive decline.

Warning signs include:

  • Getting disoriented in familiar locations
  • Confusing times of day (thinking it’s morning at night)
  • Forgetting appointments or social engagements
  • Wandering or attempting to leave home unexpectedly

Care tip:

Install clear clocks that display the day, date, and time. Use signage in the home to help your loved one stay oriented.

4. Misplacing Items and Trouble Retracing Steps

We all lose our keys now and then. But placing items in unusual spots—like putting a remote in the fridge or a purse in the linen closet—can be more serious.

Common red flags:

  • Misplacing objects and being unable to retrace steps
  • Accusing others of stealing items
  • Becoming agitated when items aren’t where expected

Why this matters:

Disorientation and suspicion can lead to stressful outbursts or safety risks, especially if your loved one begins wandering to “find” something they lost.

Helpful solution:

Use labeled bins or baskets and assign “home” spots for everyday items like glasses, keys, or wallets. Consider a GPS tracker or medical alert system if wandering becomes a concern.

5. Mood or Personality Changes

Alzheimer’s doesn’t just affect memory—it can also impact mood, behavior, and personality.

Look out for:

  • Sudden anxiety, fearfulness, or depression
  • Increased irritability or frustration
  • Withdrawal from social activities or hobbies
  • Changes in sleeping or eating habits
  • Loss of confidence or confusion in social settings

A report from the National Institute on Aging found that nearly 40% of people with early-stage Alzheimer’s experience significant mood or behavioral changes.

Support tip:

Offer consistent emotional support. Be patient and avoid arguing if your loved one becomes upset or confused. Consider involving a mental health professional if anxiety or depression becomes severe.

6. Trouble with Words in Speaking or Writing

We all forget a word occasionally—but people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may frequently struggle to follow or join in on conversations.

Look for signs like:

  • Pausing often to search for words
  • Calling objects by the wrong name
  • Repeating themselves or losing track mid-sentence
  • Trouble following conversations or written instructions

Care tip:

Be patient and avoid correcting your loved one. Instead, offer reassurance and gently provide the word they’re looking for if they seem distressed.

7. Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities

Someone in the early stages of dementia may begin pulling away from hobbies, work, or social engagements they once enjoyed. This can stem from fear of embarrassment, confusion, or difficulty following conversations.

Watch for:

  • Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
  • Reluctance to engage in group conversations
  • Increased time spent alone or changes in routine

Care tip:

Encourage low-pressure social interaction, such as listening to music together or doing a simple craft, to maintain connection without overwhelming them.

8. Changes in Vision or Spatial Awareness

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, early-stage Alzheimer’s can cause visual processing issues, which are different from common age-related vision problems.

This might look like:

  • Difficulty judging distances or depth
  • Trouble reading
  • Sensitivity to glare or contrast
  • Increased risk of falls or hesitation when navigating new environments

Home safety tip:

Improve lighting throughout the home, use high-contrast labels or colored tape for steps, and ensure flooring patterns don’t appear confusing or “busy.”

9. Poor Judgment or Decision-Making

Everyone makes a questionable decision once in a while, but people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may show a pattern of poor judgment, especially when it comes to money, hygiene, or safety.

Red flags include:

  • Giving away large amounts of money to telemarketers or scammers
  • Neglecting personal hygiene or grooming
  • Wearing clothing inappropriate for the weather
  • Forgetting to turn off appliances or lock doors

Care tip:

Start by gently setting boundaries or offering to help with certain decisions. You may also want to discuss legal and financial planning early on, while your loved one can still participate in decisions.

10. Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks

Tasks that used to be second nature—like preparing a meal, driving to a familiar location, or using the TV remote—can become confusing in the early stages of dementia.

Examples include:

  • Needing help with recipes they used to know by heart
  • Getting lost on the way to a familiar place
  • Struggling to follow multi-step instructions

Support tip:

Offer written or visual step-by-step instructions for daily routines. Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps and celebrate progress—even if it takes longer than usual.

What to Do If You Notice These Signs

Early detection can make a big difference. Here’s how to take action:

1. Keep a Journal

Document symptoms, frequency, and changes in behavior over time.

2. Schedule a Medical Evaluation

Make an appointment with a primary care physician or neurologist to begin cognitive assessments.

3. Get Support Early

Involve family members, support groups, and your loved one in the discussion. This ensures you’re not navigating this alone.

4. Start Planning for Home Support

If a diagnosis is made, you’ll want to explore durable medical equipment (DME) and home-based support options early.

How Respire Homecare Can Help

At Respire Homecare, we know that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis doesn’t just affect the individual—it affects the whole family. That’s why we provide compassionate support, clinical respiratory care, and personalized equipment solutions to help ease the burden on caregivers and enhance safety at home for those loved ones that also need respiratory care.

We offer:

  • Oxygen therapy and supplies
  • CPAP/BiPAP for sleep-related breathing disorders
  • Tracheostomy and ventilator support
  • Feeding tubes and enteral nutrition services
  • Home safety tools and caregiver education

We’ll work with you to ensure your loved one has what they need—safely, comfortably, and with dignity. Call us today for a consultation at (888) 800-9445 or visit https://www.respirehomecare.com/ to learn more.
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