Alzheimer’s: What You Need to Ask?
The theme for World Alzheimer’s Day 2025 is “Ask about Dementia. Ask about Alzheimer’s.”
This year’s campaign highlights the importance of open conversations—to build awareness, encourage early diagnosis, and reduce the stigma that too often surrounds these conditions.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Over time, people living with Alzheimer’s gradually lose the ability to remember, concentrate, and orient themselves in everyday life.
As the disease progresses, they need more and more support with daily activities and personal care.
Although there is no cure, research in recent years has significantly deepened our understanding of how Alzheimer’s develops—from its biological changes and genetic risks to clinical signs and measurable biomarkers. This knowledge forms the basis for developing new therapies.
Two medicines, donanemab and lecanemab, have recently been approved to help slow—but not stop or reverse—the progression of Alzheimer’s in its early stages.
Many more clinical studies are underway, offering hope for better treatments in the future.
Every September, World Alzheimer’s Month provides a global platform to raise awareness and show solidarity with people affected by dementia.
World Alzheimer’s Day, observed annually on 21 September, is a key moment to promote dialogue, share KnowHow, and support families living with the impact of this disease.
Are Dementia and Alzheimer's All the Same?
No, Alzheimer’s and dementia are not the same condition.
Dementia is an umbrella term that describes symptoms of cognitive decline, such as memory loss or difficulties with thinking and problem‑solving. Alzheimer’s disease is one specific cause of dementia, with its own characteristic biological changes in the brain.
Other illnesses can also lead to dementia. These include reduced blood flow in the brain (vascular dementia), Parkinson’s disease, head injuries, brain tumors, and long‑term heavy alcohol use. Each of these conditions affects the brain differently, and the course of the illness, its symptoms, and the available treatments vary accordingly.
Dementia is rising sharply in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), with cases projected to increase by 367% by 2050. Approximately 60 – 70% of people developing dementia are suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Symptoms—How to Recognize Alzheimer's
Many people link Alzheimer’s illness with forgetfulness. However, it can cause a wide range of symptoms and manifest itself in a variety of ways. The Alzheimer’s Association explains the 10 typical Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. If you notice any of them, don’t ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.
10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's and Dementia
1- Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later.
2 Challenges in Planning or Solving Problems
Some people living with changes in their memory due to Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Making occasional errors when managing finances or household bills.
3 Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
People living with memory changes from Alzheimer’s or other dementia often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Occasionally needing help to use microwave settings or to record a TV show.
4 Confusion with Time or Place
People living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
5 Trouble Understanding Visual Images and Spatial Relationships
Some people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia could experience vision changes. This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving.
What’s a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.
6 New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing
People living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may have trouble following or joining 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, have trouble naming a familiar object, or use the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”).
What’s a typical age-related change?
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
7 Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps
A person living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. He or she may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
8 Decreased or Poor Judgment
Individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Making a bad decision or mistake once in a while, like neglecting to change the oil in the car.
9 Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities
A person living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, they may withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Sometimes feeling uninterested in family or social obligations.
10 Changes in Mood and Personality
Individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience mood and personality changes. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends or when out of their comfort zone.
What’s a typical age-related change?
Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
Alzheimer's Stages—Symptoms Over Time
Alzheimer’s disease has three stages, each of which has its own characteristic symptoms. But the changes that happen, and how fast they happen, can vary from person to person. Some symptoms may appear earlier, and others may not occur at all.
Early-stage Alzheimer's (mild) —Be a Part of Your Social Net!
In the early stage of Alzheimer’s, a person may function independently. He or she may still drive, work, and be a part of social activities. Despite this, the person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects.
Symptoms may not be widely apparent at this stage, but family and close friends may take notice, and a doctor would be able to identify symptoms using certain diagnostic tools.
Common difficulties include:
- Coming up with the right word or name.
- Remembering names when introduced to new people.
- Having difficulty performing tasks in social or work settings.
- Forgetting material that was just read.
- Losing or misplacing a valuable object.
- Experiencing increased trouble with planning or organizing.
You can live well!
During the early stage, it’s possible for people with dementia to live well by taking control of their health and wellness, and focusing their energy on aspects of their life that are most meaningful to them. In addition, this is the ideal time to put legal, financial, and end-of-life plans in place because the person with dementia will be able to participate in decision-making.
Middle-stage Alzheimer's (Moderate)-Needing Support
Middle-stage Alzheimer’s is typically the longest stage and can last for many years. As the disease progresses, the person with Alzheimer’s will require a greater level of care.
During the middle stage of Alzheimer’s, the dementia symptoms are more pronounced. The person may confuse words, get frustrated or angry, and act in unexpected ways, such as refusing to bathe. Damage to nerve cells in the brain can also make it difficult for the person to express thoughts and perform routine tasks without assistance.
Symptoms, which vary from person to person, may include:
- Being forgetful of events or personal history.
- Feeling moody or withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations.
- Being unable to recall information about themselves like their address or telephone number, and the high school or college they attended.
- Experiencing confusion about where they are or what day it is.
- Requiring help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion.
- Having trouble controlling their bladder and bowels.
- Experiencing changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping during the day and becoming restless at night.
- Showing an increased tendency to wander and become lost.
- Demonstrating personality and behavioral changes, including suspiciousness and delusions or compulsive, repetitive behavior like handwringing or tissue shredding.
In the middle stage, the person living with Alzheimer’s can still participate in daily activities with assistance. It’s important to find out what the person can still do or find ways to simplify tasks. As the need for more intensive care increases, caregivers may want to consider respite care or an adult day center so they can have a temporary break from caregiving while the person living with Alzheimer’s continues to receive care in a safe environment.
Late-stage Alzheimer's (Severe)-Dependent on Caring Hands
In the final stage of the disease, dementia symptoms are severe. Individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or phrases, but communicating pain becomes difficult. As memory and cognitive skills continue to worsen, significant personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive care.
At this stage, individuals may:
- Help at any stage
- Get easy access to dementia resources, community programs and services through our Community Resource Finder.
- Require around-the-clock assistance with daily personal care.
- Lose awareness of recent experiences as well as of their surroundings.
- Experience changes in physical abilities, including walking, sitting and, eventually, swallowing.
- Have difficulty communicating.
- Become vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia.
The person living with Alzheimer’s may not be able to initiate engagement as much during the late stage, but he or she can still benefit from interaction in ways that are appropriate, like listening to relaxing music or receiving reassurance through gentle touch.
During this stage, caregivers may want to use support services, such as hospice care, which focus on providing comfort and dignity at the end of life. Hospice can be of great benefit to people in the final stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementias and their families.
How to Treat Alzheimer's Disease
People with Alzheimer’s require long-term care and therapy. When thinking about any treatment, it is important to have a conversation with a health care professional to determine whether it is appropriate. A doctor who is experienced in using Alzheimer’s medications, usually a neurologist, should monitor people who are taking them and provide information that can help people make informed decisions about their usage and care. In addition, understanding all available options can help individuals living with the disease and their caregivers to cope with symptoms and improve quality of life.
Medication to Slow Down Alzheimer's
There is exciting progress in Alzheimer’s and dementia research that is creating new treatments for people living with the disease. Talk about your options about them with your neurologist.
Two recently approved medicines may slow the decline of memory and thinking, as well as function, in people living with early Alzheimer’s disease.
Donanemab (Kisunla™)
Donanemab (Kisunla)™ is an anti-amyloid antibody intravenous (IV) infusion therapy that is delivered every four weeks.
The positive data from the clinical studies showed that donanemab significantly slowed cognitive and functional decline in people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (either mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia).
The most common reported side effects were amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) and headache.
In the European region in March 2025 there has been issued a negative opinion on donanemab, due to an unfavorable benefit-risk balance, new data were reviewed, and the decision was revised.
Lecanemab (Leqembi®)
Lecanemab (Leqembi®) is an anti-amyloid antibody intravenous (IV) infusion therapy that is delivered every two weeks.
Lecanemab was the second therapy to demonstrate that removing beta-amyloid from the brain reduces cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer’s.
The most common reported side effects were infusion-related reactions, amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) and headache.
For a disease-modifying treatment, It is important to seek a diagnosis as early as possible.
The earlier you are diagnosed, the more treatment options will be available to you, as those medications are only effective in the early stages of the disease.
Medication to Treat Alzheimer's Symptoms
In addition to these disease-modifying medicines, there are drugs that treat symptoms.
While these medications do not stop the damage Alzheimer’s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen or stabilize symptoms for a limited time by affecting certain chemicals involved in carrying messages among and between the brain’s nerve cells.
The following medications are prescribed to treat
symptoms related to memory and thinking:
- Cholinesterase inhibitors Benzgalantamine (Zunveyl®), Donepezil (Aricept®), (Razadyne®), Rivastigmine (Exelon®)
- Glutamate regulators Memantine (Namenda®):
Non-cognitive symptoms (behavioral and psychological symptoms):
- Orexin receptor antagonist Suvorexant (Belsomra®)
- Atypical antipsychotics Brexpiprazole (Rexulti®)
If your neurologist would recommend a pharmacological treatment, your next questions may be about cost and insurance coverage.
Because drugs that treat the progression of the disease are newer, coverage is an evolving issue.
You should talk to your neurologist about coverage and if they can help with appeals.
Late-stage Alzheimer's (Severe)-Dependent on Caring Hands
Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is often a shock. For some, however, the diagnosis helps explain changes in behavior or personality that once felt confusing. How a person responds to the disease depends not only on the changes in their brain, but also on their own personality, life history, and the support by family, friends or caregivers around them.
Many people with Alzheimer’s find it important to live in the present and continue doing what they still enjoy and value. At the same time, thoughts about the future can be worrying. Practical questions often arise: Can I continue working—and for how long? How long will I be able to drive, live independently, or manage daily tasks on my own? Who will make decisions for me later? Over time, people often find ways to face these questions, gradually adapting to life with Alzheimer’s.
Family support plays a central role. But the condition also changes relationships. Shared responsibilities may need to be reorganized, and common activities may become more difficult. Some families report that emotional closeness deepens after the diagnosis, with couples pulling together like a team. Yet, tensions and conflicts can also arise, and caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can take a toll. Caregivers themselves often need guidance and support.
Sharing experiences with others affected by the disease, for example in a self-help group, is often considered to be helpful – for patients as well as their loved ones. Filipino expat Desiree Vlekken founded 4get-me-not an NGO in the UAE to raise awareness on Alzheimer’s disease and promote quality of life for seniors.
If you are interested to learn more about Living with Alzheimer’s and the coping strategies for patients and families in the UAE, we found a helpful video from 4get-me-not for you.
Alzheimer's ...... More Than Just Forgetfulness”.
For World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) had launched an awareness campaign called “Alzheimer’s … More Than Just Forgetfulness.”
The regular campaigns encourage people to learn more about Alzheimer’s, recognize the value of early diagnosis, and understand the progress being made in treatment and care. Its goal is to give patients and their families the KnowHow and support they need to feel stronger—both emotionally and socially—when facing the challenges of the disease.
Source:
- Dementia in the MENA region uncharted challenges and emerging insights a literature review
- Abu Dhabi advances precision medicine for Alzheimer’s disease patients through pharmacogenomics reports
- Navigating Treatment Options
- Amyloid solutions: lecanemab, gantenerumab, and donanemab in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
- Abu Dhabi advances precision medicine for Alzheimer’s disease patients through pharmacogenomics reports
- Alzheimer’s disease | informorg How Is Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed? | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)
After email registration, you will receive an automated email with your digital patient consent form and your patient questionnaire. Please fill out and sign these documents.
