Is it normal for my husband with Alzheimer's to still dress himself, brush teeth etc but walk with tiny steps?

Well my first thought when reading the question was Parkinson's or Parkinsonism. I personally believe there is a whole lot more mixed dementia out there than the experts admit to/realize, but it seems ALZ is always the first and often only diagnosis.

Tiny steps can also reflect some movement instability. Uncertain of strength and ability to take longer steps, they become smaller and closer together. I've found myself doing this when I've got a foot injury or feel unsteady.

Sometimes there can be just so many possibilities that focusing on the actions can be helpful. Does he have clear paths in the areas in which he walks? Grab bars and hand holds to help him if he loses his balance? Walker or rollator?

If the underlying cause can't be changed, perhaps compensating mechanisms can help.

Also, it's not unusual for a patient to be diagnosed with Alz and for LBD symptoms to show up later. This ends up with a dual diagnosis.
Blessings,
Jamie

Tiny steps, soft voice, body stiffness or tremors along with dementia are symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia. If this describes your situation or to read more about it, go to www.lbda.org and the forum for Lewy Body on Yahoo https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/LBD_caringspouses/info.
Blessings,
Jamie

I have seen this in other people. I believe it is called Procedural Memory--I'm not 100% sure. That is usually intact even with Alzheimer's Disease. Here is information from the Alzheimer's Website. "Procedural Memory. The cerebellum is one of the structures involved in procedural memory. Procedural memory is what enables people to learn skills that will then become automatic (unconscious), such as typing or skiing. This memory system typically is not damaged in Alzheimer's disease or is one of the last cognitive domains to deteriorate." http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2008/12/how-memory-is-affected-in-alzheimers.html

Harriett, I am moving your question back to the front page... hopefully someone who has gone through this will be able to answer your question.