The Surprising Shower Sign That Could Be Linked to Early Alzheimer’s Disease

There is also another reason changes during bathing can attract attention. As cognitive impairment progresses, some people can begin struggling with familiar sequences of tasks.

Someone might repeatedly forget whether they already shampooed their hair, have difficulty following their normal bathing routine, or become confused about how to use familiar products.

---

Those changes can be more concerning than simply forgetting something occasionally.

But Don’t Jump to Alzheimer’s

This is extremely important.

Changes in smell have many possible causes that have nothing to do with dementia.

---

Colds, influenza and other respiratory infections can affect smell. Nasal congestion, sinus problems, nasal polyps, smoking, aging, certain medications, head injuries and other neurological conditions may also contribute.

COVID-19 became particularly well known for causing sudden changes or loss of smell.

So noticing that your shampoo doesn’t smell as strong as it once did is not enough to diagnose Alzheimer’s—or any other disease.

There is no home “shower test” that can tell you whether you have Alzheimer’s.

---

What Early Alzheimer’s Usually Looks Like

Doctors are generally more concerned when cognitive changes begin interfering with everyday life.

Examples can include repeatedly forgetting recently learned information, asking the same questions again and again, becoming unusually confused about dates or places, struggling with familiar tasks, having increasing difficulty finding words, or showing noticeable changes in judgment.

A single forgotten name or misplaced object isn’t necessarily abnormal.

---

The pattern matters.

Changes that become persistent, progressive and disruptive deserve evaluation.

When Smell Changes Become More Interesting

Suppose someone has always loved the smell of coffee.

---

Over several months, they stop noticing it.

At roughly the same time, their family notices that they are repeating conversations, missing appointments and becoming confused while performing tasks they have done for years.

That combination is much more meaningful than reduced smell by itself.

Even then, it doesn’t automatically establish Alzheimer’s disease. A clinician would need to consider other possible explanations.