The Alzheimer’s Association hopes to raise awareness to encourage early detection of the disease.

These are the most common early signs of Alzheimer’s as well as what is a normal age-related change:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life

What’s a typical age-related change?

Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems

What’s a typical age-related change?

Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure

What’s a typical age-related change?

Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

4. Confusion with time or place

What’s a typical age-related change?

Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

What’s a typical age-related change?

Vision changes related to cataracts.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing

What’s a typical age-related change?

Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

What’s a typical age-related change?

Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.

8. Decreased or poor judgment

What’s a typical age-related change?

Making a bad decision once in a while.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities

What’s a typical age-related change?

Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

10. Changes in mood and personality

What’s a typical age-related change?

Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.