Caregivers' observations and report of early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementing illnesses are typically asked to recall details regarding the onset and course of specific symptoms. These reports are often essential for clinical diagnosis. We report caregivers' recalls of initial symptoms in family members diagnosed with AD. In addition, we determine whether caregivers' reports of specific symptoms are associated with certain caregiver/patient characteristics. In a sample of 76 caregivers of AD patients, the most frequent initial problems cited included memory, activities of daily living, disorientation, and personality change. Personality changes were reported as a first symptom significantly more often by spouses, younger caregivers, and caregivers of higher socioeconomic status. Caregivers of AD patients with longer duration of illness and higher age at onset were also more likely to report personality changes as a first symptom. The children of AD patients were more likely than spouses to report disorientation as a first symptom; older caregivers were also more likely to report disorientation. Implications for caregiver reporting and therapeutic guidance are discussed.