Moderate Alzheimer's Dementia (AD) Symptoms

Eventually, AD spreads to more regions of the brain. Family and friends may recognize changes in in their loved-one's thinking and behavior before they do. As the disease progresses, you may recognize telltale symptoms begin to manifest such as confusion and a shorter attention span. As more brain cells die, signs of moderate AD manifest, which may include:

​

• Problems recognizing friends and family members

• Difficulty with language and problems with reading, writing, or working with numbers

• Difficulty organizing thoughts and thinking logically

• Inability to learn new tasks or to cope with new or unexpected situations

• Inappropriate outbursts of anger

• Perceptual-motor problems, such as trouble getting out of a chair or setting the table

• Repetitive statements or movement, and occasional muscle twitches

• Hallucinations, delusions, suspiciousness or paranoia, and irritability

• Loss of impulse control, such as undressing at inappropriate times or places or using vulgar language

• Exacerbation of behavioral symptoms, such as restlessness, agitation, anxiety, tearfulness, and wandering — especially in the late afternoon or evening — called “sundowning”