What are the first signs of Alzheimer's?

Yes, memory lapses are often the first sign of Alzheimer's recognized by family members. But it's important to realize that many different factors can also cause memory impairment, including other dementias, depression, and drug interactions. (See a list here.) Other classic hallmarks of Alzheimer's include confusion over words, changes in personality, trouble with abstract thinking, and misplacing items. For an elaboration of these things and others, see " 8 Signs to Watch for If You Suspect Alzheimer's."

In my experience, the first signs are lapses in memory. Things like "I can't find my key" aren't as bothersome as "I can't remember how to write a check." or something else that was previously obvious to your loved one.