About one in nine Americans over age 65 has Alzheimer's disease, and doctors say recognizing the earliest warning signs — from trouble planning to misplacing items without being able to retrace your steps — can make a real difference in how soon people get help. November marks National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, and with an estimated 6.7 million older U.S. adults currently living with the disease, physicians are urging families to pay closer attention to subtle changes in memory and thinking.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and affects millions of Americans, according to News 12 New York. Dr. Kaitlin Seibert, a physician at Cleveland Clinic, said the disease is becoming increasingly common, and doctors note that many cases go undiagnosed. Early recognition of symptoms, according to doctors cited in the report, may help people access treatment sooner and better understand changes in memory and thinking.
What's Happening Inside the Brain
Per Dr. Seibert, Alzheimer's disease involves a buildup of proteins known as amyloid plaques. That plaque buildup can affect memory-related areas of the brain and contribute to short-term memory loss, the station reports. Current Alzheimer's medications are approved for only the very earliest signs of the disease, and they work by clearing some of the proteins involved, which can help slow its progression.
Early detection matters because newer medications may slow the disease's progression in its earliest stages and give patients and families more time to plan for the future, according to the same report. Separately, the Alzheimer's Association says lecanemab has received traditional FDA approval to treat early Alzheimer's, including people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's who have confirmed elevated beta-amyloid in the brain. The Association notes that the drug lowers beta-amyloid in the brain and reduces cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer's.
The 10 Warning Signs to Watch For
The CDC identifies ten early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease. They include memory loss that disrupts daily life, challenges in planning or solving problems, and difficulty completing familiar tasks. Confusion with time or place and trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships also made the list, according to News 12 New York's reporting on the CDC's guidance.
Other warning signs include new problems with words in speaking or writing, misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps, and decreased or poor judgment. Withdrawal from work or social activities and changes in mood or personality round out the list. Health experts recommend that anyone noticing one or more of these symptoms speak with a doctor. As Dr. Seibert put it, a given symptom may not turn out to be Alzheimer's disease, but people should still seek answers about why the change is happening.
A Growing Number of Cases Nationwide
The scale of the disease nationally underscores why early awareness matters. An estimated 6.7 million older adults have Alzheimer's disease in the United States, and the CDC projects that number will double by 2060, reaching nearly 14 million adults. That trajectory mirrors the figure cited in the local report, which also notes the disease's prevalence is expected to double by the same year.
Lifestyle choices may also play a role in lowering the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, per Dr. Seibert. Recommended habits include eating a plant-based diet rich in whole foods and healthy fats, exercising consistently, staying socially engaged, and keeping the brain active through activities such as brain games. The National Institute on Aging describes a study of 1,159 adults age 65 and older, including participants with high levels of tau protein, a hallmark of Alzheimer's, in which those who engaged in more physical activity experienced a slower rate of cognitive decline.
For families noticing changes in a loved one's memory, planning, or behavior, doctors' message during Awareness Month is straightforward: don't wait to ask questions. Whether or not a symptom turns out to be Alzheimer's, getting answers early can open the door to treatment options and give families more time to plan ahead.
