With aging comes forgetfulness. Sometimes it’s hard to remember the name of a restaurant you went to last month or the name of a person you met less than a week ago. It can be frustrating, but not necessarily alarming.

The slowing down of the body and brain is a normal part of the aging process. Memory changes also occur, and it’s common to have difficulty remembering the names of people, places and other common things.

But, when is “forgetfulness” something more?

September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day — a time to bring awareness and education to this irreversible, progressive disease that affects more than six million Americans and has serious implications on services and health systems around the world as the population grows older.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by complex brain changes following cell damage. It is the most common form of dementia — a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. It requires medical intervention and shouldn’t be confused with the normal signs of aging. Alzheimer’s causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reading skills and in extreme cases leads to the inability to carry on conversations and daily activities.

Scientists don't yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer's disease in most people. According to the National Institute on Aging, the causes probably include a combination of age-related changes in the brain, along with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The importance of any one of these factors in increasing or decreasing the risk of Alzheimer's disease may differ from person to person.

Here are some differences between normal signs of aging and warning signs of Alzheimer’s.

Five typical age-related changes:

• Making a bad decision occasionally.
• Missing a monthly payment once in a while.
• Forgetting the day of week, but remembering it soon afterwards or later in the day.
• Forgetting a word from time to time.
• Losing an item occasionally, but remembering the location later.

Ten early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life. 
• Challenges in planning or solving problems.
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks.
• Confusion with time or place.
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
• New problems with words in speaking or writing.
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
• Decreased poor judgment.
• Withdrawal from work or social activities.
• Changes in mood or personality.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost five million people in the U.S. were living with this condition in 2013. In 2022, the CDC estimates that more than six million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to rise. Worldwide, the number of people with Alzheimer’s has surpassed 55 million.

Alzheimer’s disease commonly occurs in people aged 60 years or older and people with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. However, early-onset Alzheimer’s can affect those younger than 65, but it is much less common.

When is it time to see a doctor?

The Alzheimer's Association suggests seeing a primary care physician as soon as you notice any of the early warning signs and symptoms. The good news is experts estimate a skilled physician can diagnose Alzheimer's disease with more than 90% accuracy. 

The first step is finding a doctor you feel comfortable with. Many people contact their online or in-person primary care physician about their memory or thinking concerns, and primary care doctors often oversee the diagnostic process themselves. HealthTap doctors are available to discuss any concerns you may have and can evaluate your symptoms.

After an evaluation, you could get referred to a specialist who evaluates memory and thinking issues. Some people with unclear symptoms, including those under age 65, may require evaluation by two or more specialists who combine their findings to reach a diagnosis.

That could include visits with the following:  

• A neurologist, who specializes in diseases of the brain and nervous system.
• A psychiatrist, who are trained in general psychiatry with additional training in mental health and aging.
• A psychologist, who has special training in testing to assess thinking abilities, including memory, attention, language, reading and problem-solving skills.
• A geriatrician, who specializes in the care of older adults and dementia.

Living with Alzheimer’s

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are treatments that may change disease progression and drug and non-drug options that may help treat symptoms. 

Current approaches to treating Alzheimer’s focus on helping people maintain mental function, treating the underlying disease process, and managing behavioral symptoms. In ongoing clinical trials, scientists are developing and testing several possible interventions including immunization therapy, cognitive training, physical activity, and treatments for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. 

In June 2021, Aducanumab became the first new drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the underlying biology of Alzeimer’s disease.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, It is the first therapy to demonstrate that removing beta-amyloid, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, from the brain is reasonably likely to reduce cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer’s. However, because this drug received accelerated FDA approval, Medicare will only cover its use in certain clinical trials.

Care and support

There are a lot of support options for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Becoming well-informed about the disease is one important long-term strategy. Programs that teach families about the various stages of Alzheimer’s and about ways to deal with difficult behaviors and other caregiving challenges can help.

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s can have significant physical, emotional, and financial costs. Good coping skills, a strong support network, and respite care are other things that may help caregivers handle the stress of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. 

The important thing to know is that if you are suffering from Alzheimer’s, or if you are a caregiver, you are not alone. There are a number of ways to get support.

• Contact your local Alzheimer’s Association for programs and services near you
• The Alzheimer’s Association offers a hotline, referrals, online communities and other resources
• The National Institute on Aging is another great online resource.

Talk with a HealthTap doctor if you have questions about any Alzheimer’s signs or symptoms you may be experiencing.