Symptoms

Problems can include wandering and getting lost, trouble with money and bills, repeating questions, taking longer to complete regular daily tasks, and personality or behavior changes.

At this stage, the brain gets damaged in areas that control things like language, thinking, and senses, such as hearing and smelling. Memory loss and confusion get worse, and people may start having trouble recognizing family and friends. They may also struggle with learning new things, complicated tasks such as getting dressed, or handling new situations. Also, people at this stage may see or hear things that aren’t there, believe things that aren’t true, feel on edge, or act without thinking.

Plaques and tangles spread throughout the brain, causing the brain tissue to shrink. People with severe Alzheimer’s cannot communicate and need others to help take care of themselves. Near the end of life, the person may be in bed most or all of the time as the body stops working.

Memory loss is the main symptom of Alzheimer's disease. In the beginning, people may have trouble remembering recent things that have happened or conversations. Over time, memory gets worse, and other symptoms start to show. People with Alzheimer’s disease may:

• Repeat statements and questions over and over.

• Forget conversations, appointments, or events.

• Misplace items, often putting them in places that don't make sense.

• Get lost in places they used to know well.

• Forget the names of family members and everyday objects.

• Have trouble finding the right words, expressing thoughts, or having conversations.

Alzheimer's disease makes it harder to concentrate and think, especially when it comes to things like numbers. Doing more than one task at once is especially hard. People may have trouble managing money, balancing a checkbook, and paying bills on time. As the disease gets worse, they might even have trouble recognizing numbers.

People with Alzheimer’s can have trouble doing everyday activities that involve steps in a certain order. They might struggle with, for example, planning and cooking a meal or playing a favorite game. As the disease gets worse, they may forget how to do simple things like getting dressed or taking a bath.

Brain changes that occur in Alzheimer's disease can affect moods and behaviors. Symptoms may include:

• Depression.

• Loss of interest in activities.

• Social withdrawal.

• Mood swings.

• Not trusting others.

• Anger or aggression.

• Changes in sleeping habits.

• Wandering.

• Loss of self-consciousness.

• Delusions, such as believing something has been stolen when it hasn't.

 Sometimes a person with Alzheimer’s may act differently in the late afternoon or towards the end of the day. This is called Sundowning. During this time, the person may become very upset, restless, angry, and may see or believe things that aren’t real. This may continue into the night, making it hard for them to get enough sleep.