There are certain symptoms that are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease that may or may not appear in every individual. These include a loss of short term memory, problems expressing thoughts or comprehending requests, difficulty or inability in carrying out activities of daily living, changes in personality, confusion or disorientation to time, place, or person, unexplainable mood swings, loss of initiative in starting or completing activities, aggression, agitation, and depression. However, these are also symptoms of other dementias and other medical and psychiatric disorders, some of which may be reversible. The only way to determine whether or not your boss has Alzheimer's disease is for him to undergo a proper evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional. A definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can only be made with an autopsy, but, after a series of exams, professionals can determine if all else is ruled out, a diagnosis of "probable Alzheimer's disease."  Confirming a diagnosis requires a complete medical history, a series of tests, including a cognitive screening, a blood test and urine analysis, and either an MRI, CAT, or PET scan of the brain, or a combination of these. Since your boss can be experiencing any number of disorders, it would be helpful for him to consult with his physician first, and then possibly a neurologist or psychiatrist.. If you have a good working relationship with him, you might want to suggest that he undergo a physical examination. However, individuals who experience changes in their behavior or personality may not be open to this, may resist or refuse altogether until such time that something occurs where medical intervention becomes a necessity,      but it is best to check out memory concerns right away. Since it is important to take action as soon as possible, I would also like to point out to you that AFA will be holding National Memory Screening Day on November 18th. On this day, qualified healthcare professionals at participating sites across the country will offer free confidential memory screenings. As we approach November 18^th, the screening sites will be listed on www.nationalmemoryscreening.org. The memory screening is not used to make a diagnosis, but is valuable in taking the first step to test memory, language skills, thinking ability, and other intellectual functions. It can indicate whether your boss might benefit from a complete medical evaluation. If your boss recognizes that he is having difficulty with his memory, you might point out that you heard about this event. You might suggest that you are going and invite him along. Good luck!

hi Jackie - thanks for your question.  You can review our material on the Symptoms of Alzheimer's as well as the Check a Symptom for Alzheimer's for more information.  You may also be interested in reading our Just Diagnosed section.

Hoep this helps and all the best, sue