Early Signs of Dementia: What to Look for in Your Loved Ones

 

Introduction

Dementia is a general term for loss of memory and other mental abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. There are several forms of the disease, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. If you notice any of these signs in your loved one, it's important to seek medical attention right away.

Memory problems that disrupt daily life

Memory problems that disrupt daily life:

·         Difficulty remembering information, such as names, dates, or new information

·         Difficulty with familiar tasks, such as preparing meals, paying bills, or driving

If you notice either of these signs in a loved one who has dementia and they begin to interfere with his/her ability to function normally at work or home, it may be time for him or her to see a doctor.

Challenges with planning or problem-solving

Problems with planning or problem-solving are a sign that your loved one has dementia.

·         Difficulty planning: Your loved one may have difficulty making decisions and organizing tasks and activities. This may be due to forgetting what to do next, or being unable to see the big picture in relation to the steps needed to accomplish something.

·         Trouble solving: Your loved one might have trouble solving problems such as paying bills on time, or meeting a deadline at work. The following example shows how even small issues can be difficult due to forgetting important details: "You forgot your wallet when you went grocery shopping today; therefore, we can't pay for these groceries right now." Or "I'm sorry I don't know what time the movie starts tonight because I forgot the tickets at home."

Difficulty completing familiar tasks

As dementia progresses, loved ones may have difficulty completing familiar tasks. This is because dementia affects how the brain processes information, causing a loss of function that can leave people confused and unable to complete tasks they used to be able to do easily. For example, if your mother used to always remember where her keys are but now frequently loses them in odd places around the house, it could be indicative of dementia.

Some signs of this type include:

·         trouble remembering words or finding the right word when speaking

·         easy distractibility (for example, while cooking dinner)

Confusion with time or place

If your loved one is confused about the time or place, it may be a sign of dementia. This is often a symptom of Alzheimer's disease, but it can also indicate depression.

If your loved one is confused about the date or year, this could be caused by early stage dementia or depression. If they are having trouble with their finances and have lost track of their bills, they may be suffering from early stage dementia.

Decreased or poor judgment

Early signs of dementia will become more apparent as the disease progresses, but some early symptoms include trouble making good judgments and decisions. The person may also have difficulty deciding what to do with time or money.

In addition, the person may make impulsive decisions that you wouldn’t expect from them. For example, they might spend money in ways that are uncharacteristic for them (like buying something expensive without considering their budget) or suddenly switch jobs without giving any thought to how it will affect their career or finances

Conclusion

If you notice that your loved one is having trouble with any of these things, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. The earlier you detect dementia, the more options there are available to help manage your symptoms or slow down its progression. If you have questions about how to recognize these signs or if you think someone may be suffering from dementia, we encourage you to reach out for further information today!