Final answer:
Rosa's family was the first to notice her Alzheimer's symptoms, including memory issues, difficulty in managing finances, mood changes, and disorientation. A visit to the doctor confirmed the diagnosis after various tests and brain scans demonstrated severe symptoms and brain alteration common to Alzheimer's disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rosa's family first noticed symptoms that suggested the onset of Alzheimer's disease. They observed changes in her behavior, such as difficulty managing her bills and budget, increased irritability, and moments of disorientation. The family's concern was heightened when these symptoms escalated to the point where a neighbor assisted a disoriented Rosa back to her home, prompting a visit to the doctor.
Upon assessment, the doctor diagnosed Rosa with mild Alzheimer's disease, after a thorough examination that included physical exams, cognitive tests, and a brain scan. The symptoms Rosa exhibited are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, including memory loss, confusion, difficulty with planning and executing tasks, poor judgment, personality changes, and problems with smell.
It is important to differentiate between typical age-related memory issues and the more severe symptoms indicative of Alzheimer's. Compounded by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles commonly found in Alzheimer's patients, these symptoms suggest the involvement of Alzheimer’s disease, which significantly affects areas like the hippocampus in the brain.