Alzheimer's disease: Invest in your brain today

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Quick LINKS
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Spot the signs
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Browse myths vs. facts
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Resources and support
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It’s never too early to prioritise your cognitive health, which is how well you think, learn, and remember.

Don't wait until you notice changes in your memory and thinking. Talk to your doctor early about your brain health, and use the resources below to help plan your next steps.
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UNDERSTANDING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behaviour. Those living with Alzheimer's disease experience cognitive decline, which worsens over time. However, everyone experiences it differently, and not everyone who experiences cognitive decline will develop Alzheimer's disease.

It can be hard to tell if cognitive changes are part of ageing or are caused by something else. Talking to your doctor as part of your annual visit is an important part of proactive care even if you are not experiencing any changes in your memory and thinking.
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AGEING AND BRAIN HEALTH

Spotting the signs:
atypical vs typical ageing

Some changes to your memory and thinking can be a typical part of getting older. Others could be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease or other atypical brain changes. Explore the signs below to learn the difference.

Memory loss

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Typical Ageing:

Occasionally forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later.

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Atypical Ageing:

Forgetting recently learned information, asking the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids.

Misplacing items

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Typical Ageing:

Misplacing items occasionally but retracing steps to find them.

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Atypical Ageing:

Consistently misplacing items and unable to retrace steps to find them; accusing others of stealing.

Difficulty with familiar tasks

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Typical Ageing:

Occasionally needing help with settings on a device or remote.

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Atypical Ageing:

Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home like organising a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favourite game.

Problem-solving challenges

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Typical Ageing:

Making occasional errors when managing finances or household bills.

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Atypical Ageing:

Challenges with following a plan or working with numbers, such as following a familiar recipe.

Confusion with time or place

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Typical Ageing:

Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

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Atypical Ageing:

Losing track of dates, seasons, or passage of time; not being able to retrace steps.

Mood, personality, and behaviour changes

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Typical Ageing:

Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming
irritable when a routine is disrupted.

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Atypical Ageing:

Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious, especially when out of their comfort zone.

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HOME ASSESSMENTS
Check your cognitive
health
Brain health tools and tests can help start important conversations with your doctor, who can work with you to build a personalised cognitive health plan.
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Memory Test
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Xpresso by MoCA is a simple self-test of memory and brain performance. It was designed to empower the general public to easily test themselves at home on their own device.

Need to know

  • Available on desktop
  • The test can be completed within 10 minutes
  • You should take the test alone and in a quiet area where you have no distractions
  • Available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Greek, and Arabic

Take memory test

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Cognitive Health Questionnaire
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CHAI by MoCA checks lifestyle risk factors affecting brain health. Questions about your physical, mental, and overall well-being help you understand your current cognitive health and identify changes to improve it.

Need to know

  • Available on all devices across desktops, smartphones, and tablets
  • The test can be completed within 5 to 10 minutes
  • Available in English

Take questionnaire

Home cognitive screenings are offered by an independent third party. These tools can’t diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, and results should be reviewed with your doctor.
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MYTHS VS FACTS

Separating fact from fear: understanding Alzheimer’s disease

Thanks to scientific research, there's more hope than ever. Knowing the
facts can help you take action.
Myth No. 1
“Memory loss is inevitable with age and brain health can’t improve later in life.”
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Fact
While some memory change is typical, big changes in thinking are not. The brain can still learn new things at any age, and having healthy habits may help slow down cognitive decline.
Myth No. 2
“Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is the same as early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.”
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Fact
MCI involves mild memory issues and can progress into early-stage Alzheimer's disease, where memory and thinking issues worsen, but doesn't always.
Myth No. 3
“Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are the same thing.”
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Fact
Dementia is a broad term for issues with memory, thinking, and social skills; Alzheimer’s disease is its most common form. Everyone with Alzheimer’s disease has dementia, but not everyone with dementia has Alzheimer’s disease.
Myth No. 4
“If my parent has Alzheimer’s disease, I will get it too.”
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Fact
Alzheimer’s disease can run in families, but not everyone who has a parent with the disease will get it.
Myth No. 5
“There are no treatment options for people with Alzheimer’s disease.”
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Fact
There are medicines that can help with symptoms, and treatments that may slow down the disease. Acting early can make a difference.
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ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE DIAGNOSIS

How doctors diagnose
Alzheimer's disease

Acting early may make a difference

The idea of an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis can be overwhelming, but it is the first step toward empowerment. Early diagnosis is especially important because it gives people time to understand what lies ahead, to plan and make informed choices.

Steps to a diagnosis

Your doctor may run a few tests that assess your memory and thinking. Below are some common and potential
next steps:

FIRST

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Medical History

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Discuss risk factors, family history, and symptoms with your doctor.
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Cognitive Assessment

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Your doctor may ask you questions or give you simple tests, including neuropsychology assessment to check your memory, thinking, or other skills.
THEN
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Blood Test and Exams

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Sometimes, doctors may use blood tests and/or physical and neurological exams to look for signs of health changes. There are specific blood tests that can determine if you have specific proteins that are linked to Alzheimer's disease.
FINALLY
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Brain Imaging

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Your doctor might suggest more tests, like pictures of your brain to learn more, and may refer you to a specialist in Alzheimer's disease.
This is an example of the steps someone may experience to evaluate and test memory and thinking changes. Individual experiences may vary. You should always consult with your doctor for medical advice.
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Disease Diagnosis
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Acting early can make a difference

The sooner you talk to your doctor about memory and thinking issues, the more options you may have in treating and managing Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
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PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

Resources to help make the most of
your visit

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First doctor visit guide

Print or fill out this guide with questions to ask your doctor and topics to consider before your first appointment.
Download PDF

Healthy brain check list

Complete this checklist and bring it to your appointment to help your doctor understand your brain health better.
Download PDF
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RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

Addressing Alzheimer's
disease hand in hand

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WELL-BEING

Health is more than
a prescription

Taking your medicine is important and so is taking care of your overall health. That's why Lilly's well-being library has science-backed resources on sleep, food, movement, connection, and stress management for those living with obesity.
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All Pillars
All Pillars
All Pillars
Connection
Connection
Food
Food
Movement
Movement
Sleep
Sleep
Stress Management
Stress Management
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Connection
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Food
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No information on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your condition.
CMAT-27009 | May 2026
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