5 Unexpected Symptoms of Alzheimer’s — and How to Manage Them

“Alzheimer’s can interfere with attention, planning, recognizing objects, coordinating movements, and carrying out what would be otherwise familiar tasks,” says David Perlmutter, MD, a board-certified neurologist and author of Brain Defenders.

It’s normal to have fear or anxiety about how symptoms can change as Alzheimer’s progresses. But learning about the less commonly discussed impacts of the disease can help you and your loved ones prepare for changes and identify ways to stay as safe, comfortable, and happy as possible.

Everyday Health spoke with Alzheimer’s disease experts and three people living with the condition, as well as one’s care partner, to learn about the surprising ways Alzheimer’s can show up and how to navigate daily life.

To make it easier to focus, try to minimize background noise and focus on one thing at a time.

• Get rid of any distractions. This may mean turning off the TV or quieting a barking dog before doing a task. “Have one conversation or do one activity at a time,” says Dr. Perlmutter.
• Break large tasks into smaller steps. When taking the trash out, for example, break the chore down into stages: Gather the garbage. Tie the bag. Remove the bag from the container. Bring the bag outside. Replace the trash bag.
• Take breaks. “It’s often better to pause and try again later, rather than push through,” says Ronald Schwartz, MD, a board-certified geriatrician and medical officer at Masonicare in Wallingford, Connecticut.

If your reflexes are slower than they once were, here are a few things to do:

• Minimize fall hazards. Think about ways to minimize tripping hazards and improve the lighting around your house, says Perlmutter. You may also want to install grab bars near any stairs or in the bathroom.
  
• Talk with your care team. Changes in reflexes or reaction time can affect safety, especially if you’re still driving, navigating stairs, or doing activities that require quick reactions, says Dr. Schwartz. Ask your doctor if there’s anything you should ask for help with or avoid.
• Reconsider driving. If your reaction times become impaired, ask your care team whether it’s still safe to drive.

• Streamline your wardrobe. Select clothing that is both comfortable and “easy to manage,” says Perlmutter. Stick to tops that button in the front, and opt for soft, stretchable clothing that doesn’t have any tricky snaps or zippers.
• Choose your outfit the day before you’re going to wear it . Then, “Lay the clothes out in the order they should be put on,” says Perlmutter.
• Make a self-care to-do list. Write down your morning and evening self-care tasks in the order you’d like to do them. (For more complicated tasks, break them down into simpler steps.) Include directions, too. For example, “Take a shower: Wash hair with shampoo and wash body with soap.” Keep the list in a highly visible spot, such as taped to your bathroom mirror.
• Allow for more time. “Tasks that used to take 10 minutes may take 20 or 30 minutes now,” says Karen Lincoln, PhD, a social worker, gerontology researcher, and professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of California in Irvine. This way, you won’t feel as rushed or frustrated, she says.

“You may have difficulty perceiving objects that you’re not directly focused on, or you may not be able to accurately gauge distances,” says Brendan Kelley, MD, a professor of neurology and clinical vice chair of the neurology department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

• Improve your lighting. This can help prevent falls and make it easier to see objects and people.
• Get regular hearing and vision checks. Changes in your senses can affect how you see and understand your surroundings.
• Use glasses and hearing aids if you need them. Wear them as recommended.

Try implementing an organizational system at home:

• Clear the clutter. Remove any items you no longer use, which can make your surroundings easier to navigate.
• Label unfamiliar objects. Write a short note explaining what an item’s use is. For example, place a sticky note near a lint roller that says, “Used to remove lint from clothes.”
• Keep frequently used items in the same place. This can make objects easier to find, which can also reduce confusion. You can also label drawers and cabinets with words or pictures, says Dr. Lincoln.