Spotting the Signs of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

No, but several important lifestyle changes may help reduce your risk of cognitive decline:

• Stay physically active. Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderately intense aerobic activity each week. Check with your doctor what exercises are right for you.
• Challenge your mind. Learning new skills may help protect your cognitive health. Try word puzzles, math games, dance classes, learning a new language, even playing video games.
• Eat a healthful, balanced diet. This also helps you manage other conditions that contribute to dementia.
• Keep other medical problems well controlled. This includes treating high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Get quality sleep. Adults should get at least seven hours each night.
• Maintain good social interactions and relationships. Meet new people through volunteering, senior centers or church groups.

There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s but doctors have several treatments to help manage symptoms. Most are only available when someone is in the early stages of dementia. So, it’s critical to seek medical help as soon as you spot the signs in yourself or a loved one.

• Memory loss, especially of recent information.
• Difficulty planning and problem solving.
• Keeping track of important dates or routine activities, such as bill paying.
• Struggle with finding the right words or maintaining a conversation.
• Mood or behavior changes.

If you notice these in your loved one, suggest seeing a doctor without making a diagnosis yourself. Sometimes there’s something else that could be causing memory problems, such as thyroid issues or medications.