The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one in nine adults age 45 and older experienced confusion or memory loss — and is one of the earliest noticeable symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. 

First it’s important to know that the gathered data, which came from the 2015 and 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, was self-reported, meaning there was no examination and no diagnosis. Still, the results surprised the study’s lead author Christopher Taylor who is with the CDC.

“... [H]alf of them also reported these symptoms had affected their ability to do everyday activities," he said. "That was pretty striking because 50 percent that’s a sizable proportion.”

Those daily activities include cooking, cleaning, or taking medications to manage chronic conditions. Taylor says younger individuals who experienced memory loss or confusion will not necessarily develop Alzheimer’s. He said some medications or nutrition deficiencies could cause impairment.