The Effects of Alzheimer's Disease

According to the Mayo Clinic (2009), 50 percent of people over the age of 85 have Alzheimer's disease. Its early effects include occasional confusion and absentmindedness, but these effects grow steadily worse as the disease progresses.

Memory Loss

• Persons with Alzheimer's repeat themselves, misplace things and forget the names of friends and family members.

Disorientation

• Persons with Alzheimer's lose their sense of place and time. They will routinely miss appointments and find themselves lost, even in familiar surroundings.

Language Struggles

• Struggling with language is characteristic of Alzheimer's. Expressing themselves and following conversations will be a struggle, and the disease will eventually affect their reading and writing skills.

Difficulty With Familiar Tasks

• Persons with Alzheimer's will have trouble driving, cooking, balancing a checkbook and performing other familiar tasks. As the disease progresses, these and other tasks become increasingly difficult.

Personality Changes

• Mood swings, aggression, distrust, depression, and anxiety are all characteristic of Alzheimer's. Feelings of confusion and fear are also common.

Social Withdrawal

• Persons with Alzheimer's withdraw socially. They will shy away, for example, from their usual hobbies, social activities or work projects.