• will participate but no longer initiates outings or social activities (This can also be an example of the symptom Symptom
  In medicine a symptom is what the patient complains of. For example, a a patient may have symptoms of pain and fatigue. of decreased initiative/interest)
• will go to a social event but then wants to leave right away
• is reluctant to go on outings or attend social functions
• participates less in family events (e.g. reunions, holiday gatherings)
• wanders off or sits alone during social activities, gatherings or events (This can also be an example of the symptom Symptom
  In medicine a symptom is what the patient complains of. For example, a a patient may have symptoms of pain and fatigue. of wandering)
• rarely initiates conversations with others
• actively listens but does not contribute to conversations (This can also be an example of the symptom Symptom
  In medicine a symptom is what the patient complains of. For example, a a patient may have symptoms of pain and fatigue. of language difficulty)
• is timid or anxious around unfamiliar people (This can also be an example of the symptom Symptom
  In medicine a symptom is what the patient complains of. For example, a a patient may have symptoms of pain and fatigue. of anxiety/worry)
• is timid or anxious around groups of people
• has stopped or reduced participation in volunteer and community activities
• makes excuses as to why he or she can’t go places
• only wants to have certain people around them

People with Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease
A neurological disease that affects memory and behaviour. It is characterized by beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. There is no known cause but genetics and lifestyle are thought to play a role. often socialize less well with friends, even people who they have known for a long time. The person you care for might be reluctant to meet with friends because of embarrassment. Another reason for this is that the disease can affect the part of the brain involved in initiative and social conduct. When the person you care for is withdrawing from social activities which they used to regularly participate in, their reluctance could be due to fears of being unable to remember names or faces, or the inability to participate in a familiar setting. You may find that the person continues to participate in certain social activities such as religious services, shopping, volunteer work and small group functions because of their consistency and familiarity.

In today's busy world, keeping track of symptoms can be a challenge to say the least. That is why we have developed SymptomGuide^TM. By taking a more active role, you can better understand how a symptom is affecting everyday life and you can communicate this knowledge with others involved.