June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month — a meaningful time to slow down and think about the difference between everyday forgetfulness and something more serious. If you’ve ever caught yourself worrying after a parent misplaced their keys for the third time this week, you are far from alone.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, an estimated 6.9 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s. In Georgia, more than 188,000 residents have been diagnosed. Knowing what to watch for — and what is simply part of growing older — can make a real difference in getting timely support.
Normal aging vs. Alzheimer’s
Mild memory lapses are a normal part of getting older. Walking into a room and forgetting why, drawing a blank on a familiar name, or needing an extra moment to recall a word are all part of the typical aging brain. The National Institute on Aging describes these as age-associated memory changes — annoying, but rarely a cause for concern.
Alzheimer’s looks different. It is a progressive brain disease that disrupts memory, thinking, and behavior in ways that interfere with daily life. The key word is interfere. When forgetfulness starts to change how a person manages routines, conversations, or familiar tasks, that’s the cue to take a closer look.
The 10 warning signs you shouldn’t ignore
The Alzheimer’s Association has compiled a widely used list of 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life, especially forgetting recently learned information.
- Difficulty planning or solving problems, like trouble following a familiar recipe.
- Trouble completing familiar tasks, such as driving to a well-known location.
- Confusion with time or place.
- Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships.
- New problems with words in speaking or writing.
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
- Decreased or poor judgment, especially around money or grooming.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities.
- Changes in mood and personality.
A useful contrast: forgetting which day of the week it is and remembering later is typical. Losing track of the season, the year, or where you are is not.
Why early detection matters
A timely diagnosis opens doors. Treatments work best when started early, and a clear picture of what’s happening allows families to plan finances, legal matters, and care preferences while their loved one can still be fully involved in those conversations. Research from the National Institute on Aging shows that early intervention — through medication, lifestyle changes, and support services — can help people maintain quality of life longer.
There are also newer FDA-approved therapies that target the underlying biology of early Alzheimer’s, which makes early evaluation more meaningful than it was even a few years ago.
What to do if you’re worried
If you’re noticing changes in a parent, spouse, or yourself, here’s a practical place to start:
- Write down what you’re observing. Specific examples — dates, situations, exact words — help a physician far more than general impressions.
- Schedule a visit with a primary care doctor. A cognitive screening is brief and noninvasive. From there, your doctor can refer to a neurologist or geriatrician if needed.
- Bring a family member to the appointment. A second set of ears matters when discussing a sensitive topic.
- Don’t wait. Many families look back and wish they had spoken up sooner.
The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900) offers free, confidential support to anyone navigating a possible diagnosis — caregivers and seniors alike.
You don’t have to navigate this alone
Recognizing the early signs of Alzheimer’s is the first chapter, not the whole story. Families across Georgia find their way through this transition every day, and the right support makes the road much easier to walk.
At Georgia Living Senior Care, our Memory Care services are designed for residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia — providing a secure, calm environment where each person is supported with patience and dignity. If you’re starting to ask hard questions about a loved one’s memory, we’re here to help you think them through. Find your nearest community or call us at (912) 489-4468 to talk with a member of our team.