The 5 A’s of Alzheimer’s: Easy Signs to Understand Brain Changes
- Donald St Pierre, MSN, RN-BC
- Nov 8, 2025
- 4 min read
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease that slowly affects a person’s memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults (National Institute on Aging [NIA], 2024; Alzheimer’s Association, 2024).
Memory problems are often one of the first signs, but Alzheimer’s can also change how a person talks, uses objects, and recognizes people and things (NIA, 2024; CDC, 2024).
Nurses and doctors sometimes use a simple tool called the “5 A’s of Alzheimer’s” to remember five important kinds of changes:
Amnesia
Anomia
Aphasia
Apraxia
Agnosia
Your picture shows these “A” words in a fun, cartoon style. Let’s explain each one in kid-friendly language.
Amnesia – Memory Loss
Amnesia means memory loss. In Alzheimer’s disease, this often shows up as:
Forgetting recent conversations or events
Asking the same questions again and again
Misplacing items and not being able to retrace steps
Memory loss that disrupts daily life, not just normal “senior moments,” can be a warning sign of Alzheimer’s (Alzheimer’s Association, 2024; NIA, 2024).
“Grandma forgets things that just happened, like what she ate for breakfast or the same story we told her a few minutes ago.”
Anomia – Trouble Naming Things
Anomia means having trouble remembering the names of things, even when you know what they are.
Examples:
Looking at a fork but saying, “Hand me that… that thing… you eat with it.”
Seeing a flower but asking, “What do you call this again?”
This is more than just a word “on the tip of your tongue” once in a while. It happens often and can make conversations hard.
“Grandpa knows what something is, but he can’t think of the word for it.”
Aphasia – Trouble Using Words
Aphasia is trouble with language—speaking, understanding, reading, or writing.
People with aphasia may:
Have a hard time finding words
Use the wrong word (“chair” instead of “table”)
Speak in short or mixed-up sentences
Have trouble understanding what others say, especially if speech is fast or complex
“Sometimes Nana can’t get the words out right, or she doesn’t understand long sentences anymore.”
Apraxia – Trouble Doing Everyday Actions
Apraxia means having trouble doing movements or using objects, even though the muscles are strong enough and the person wants to do it.
Examples:
Not remembering how to button a shirt
Holding a pen but not knowing how to use it to write
Struggling to follow the steps of getting dressed or making a simple snack
In Alzheimer’s, this often shows up later in the disease as people lose the ability to carry out multi-step tasks (NIA, 2024).
“Grandma has a pen, but she acts like she doesn’t remember how to write with it.”
Agnosia – Trouble Recognizing What You See, Hear, or Feel
Agnosia means the brain has trouble recognizing things, even though the eyes, ears, and senses are working.
People with agnosia may:
Look at a toothbrush and not know what it is for
Hear a ringing phone but not know that sound means “answer the phone”
Have trouble recognizing familiar faces as the disease gets worse (NIA, 2024).
“Grandpa sees the object, but his brain can’t match it to what it is or what to do with it.”
Other Early Signs of Alzheimer’s
The 5 A’s are one way to remember important changes, but there are other early signs to watch for. The Alzheimer’s Association and NIA list 10 common warning signs, including (Alzheimer’s Association, 2024; NIA, 2024; CDC, 2024):
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Trouble planning or solving problems (for example, following a recipe or paying bills)
Getting lost in places that used to be familiar
Trouble judging distance or seeing things clearly
Losing things and being unable to find them
Mood or personality changes, such as becoming more suspicious, anxious, or easily upset
Not everyone will have all of these signs, and they may appear slowly.
What Should You Do If You Notice These Signs?
If you notice these changes in yourself or someone you love:
Write down what you see.Note how often it happens and how it affects daily life.
Talk to a doctor.Ask for a check-up for memory and thinking. Other health problems—like vitamin shortages, infections, or medication side effects—can also cause confusion and should be ruled out (NIA, 2024).
Bring a family member or friend to the appointment.They can share examples and help remember what the doctor says.
Remember: Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging.Getting help early can offer more time to plan, treat some symptoms, and find support (NIA, 2024; CDC, 2024).
Tee Shirt: Education You Can Wear (5 A’s of Alzheimer’s)
Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of families around the world (NIA, 2024; Alzheimer’s Association, 2024).
Many people have never heard words like anomia, aphasia, apraxia, amnesia, or agnosia until someone they love is diagnosed. Turning these ideas into a clear, colorful picture helps:
Caregivers remember what each “A” means
Kids and teens learn how brain changes can affect thinking and behavior
Families start honest conversations about memory loss and getting help
When people see the cartoon and the speech bubbles (“What do you call this again?” “I can’t say the words I want”), they get an easy, visual way to understand what is happening inside the brain.
This is education you can wear—spreading awareness every time someone wears the shirt.
References (Alphabetical)
Alzheimer’s Association. (2024). What is Alzheimer’s disease? and 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
National Institute on Aging. (2024). What are the signs of Alzheimer’s disease? and Alzheimer’s disease fact sheet.
National Institute on Aging. (2024). Understanding Alzheimer’s disease: What you need to know.
Northeast Independent Living Services. (2016). Understanding the 5 A’s of Alzheimer’s: A guide for caregivers and families.
Nursing.com. (2024). Alzheimer diagnosis nursing mnemonic: The 5 A’s.
Picmonic. (2024). 5 A’s of Alzheimer’s disease.
The Morrison Communities. (2023). The five A’s of Alzheimer’s disease.
UCHealth. (2025). Alzheimer’s disease: signs, symptoms, and diagnosis
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