What are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

“My mother is 63, recently retired, and has done a complete about face. For the past three of four months she seems to be depressed, has some memory problems, is listless, and has lost interest in her social and community activities. Is this Alzheimer’s Disease? What should we do?”

This is an extremely timely question. A growing number of people are living well into their eighties, and even nineties. In addition to the ever increasing need for services to the elderly, there is also the intense pressure on the aging population to adjust to the changes in society as well as the changes in their own lives.

While not usual in the general population, loss of short term memory, forgetfulness, irregular sleep patterns, listlessness, anxiety, and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities are often quite common in the elderly. And though we might not normally consider your mother as elderly at 63, she is certainly exhibiting symptoms of depression. Her current behavior, listlessness, and loss of interest attest to that. Early retirement may well play a part in her current level of functioning. Did she retire voluntarily? Or was she forced to retire? This can have a definite effect on her mood and attitude. Did she plan for retirement, including awareness and action regarding the major changes in lifestyle that would occur? Is she still living independently in her own home? Is she married or a widow? These represent significant factors regarding contacts with others, such as a spouse, and degree of intimacy in relationships.

In addition you mention that she has lost interest in social and community activities. How much time did she used to spend with family and friends? Has this also changed since retirement? What about physical illnesses, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease? The medications for these and other illnesses can cause symptoms of depression, particularly listlessness, changes in weight or sleep patterns and loss of memory. A physician’s examination is recommended to evaluate the effects of medication and monitor their use. It is also possible that proper medication can alleviate the depression.

I bring up these issues to alert you to the incidence of the symptoms of clinical depression in an aging population, including your mother. You are right to be concerned. It is important to have a physical examination and a psychiatric evaluation as well. Hopefully her symptoms are due to the normal aging process and the significant change in lifestyle brought on by early retirement. If so, I encourage you to maintain close contact with her and encourage her to continue her involvement in social and community activities. If there has been family involvement, it is most important to continue. Time spent with children and grandchildren can be energizing and contribute to a sense of meaning and purpose, feelings often diminished in the elder population. Contact with friends is equally important and energizing. Clinical depression due to situations and life stressors are usually of short duration, lasting only a few weeks or months at most. Since your mother’s symptoms have maintained themselves for three to four months, you are right to be concerned and I encourage you to follow through on a comprehensive evaluation. In most cases, proper evaluation and treatment, usually including medication, will alleviate the symptoms of depression and allow your mother to get back to a fulfilling and enjoyable life.

Dr. Manuel S. Silverman, PhD