Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease that attacks the brain and kills brain cells causing memory loss and problems with thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life.  Alzheimer's gets worse over time and is a fatal disease. 

The 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disesase are:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life.  Forgetting dates or events, relying on memory aides or family members for things the person used to handle on their own.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems.  Some people lose the ability to plan or follow a plan.  They have difficulty paying bills and organizing their financial affairs.

3. Diffulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.  Difficulty driving to a familiar location, managing a budget, or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

4. Confusion with time or place.  People with Alzheimer's lost track of dates, seasons and the passage of time.  Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

5. Trouble with understanding visual images and spatial relationships.  Some people with Alzheimer's have vision problems.  They may have difficulty reading, judging distance, and determining color or contrast.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing.  People with Alzheimer's may have trouble joining or following a conversation.  They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary or call things by the wrong name.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.  A person with Alzheimer's may put things in unusual places and may lose things because they cannot remember where they were placed. 

8. Decreased or poor judgment.  The person with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making.  For instance, they may use poor judgment in dealing with money, giving large amounts to charities.  They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities.  A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports.  They may avoid being social because of the cognitive changes they have experienced.

10. Changes in mood and personality. The person with Alzheimer's can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious.  They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.