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Alzheimer's Disease Effect on Long-Term Memory

According to the Alzheimer's Association's 2009 Disease Facts and Figures, Alzheimer's disease strongly affects the ability to communicate, think abstractly and process information. However, as the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer's experience increasing trouble with long-term memory.

  1. Early Symptoms

    • One early symptom of Alzheimer's disease is becoming lost when traveling on familiar routes, according to Medline Plus.

    Awareness

    • Medline Plus reports that people with advancing Alzheimer's forget or become confused about past events in their own lives and become less aware of who they are.

    Recognition

    • People with advanced Alzheimer's disease can no longer recognize their loved ones, according to Medline Plus, or may confuse one person for another, according to the National Institute on Aging. They also can no longer identify everyday objects, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Effects

    • People with Alzheimer's may be hostile to or distrustful of people once known to them, according to the Mayo Clinic and Medline Plus. They can lash out or become violent.

    Compensation

    • The NIA reports that an Alzheimer's sufferer may make up stories in order to fill holes in her memory.

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