Early Signs Of Dementia
Dementia happens when nerve cells in someone’s brain stop working. Even though it usually happens in older people, it is not an unavoidable part of aging. The brain’s natural decline happens to everyone as they get older, but it occurs faster in people with dementia.
A person developing dementia may have a hard time remembering dates or events.
- Loss of Memory
Memory loss is the most common symptom of dementia.
Someone with dementia can find it difficult to remember information they have recently heard, such as dates, appointments or events.
They might find that they rely on friends and family for keeping track of things.
A lot of people occasionally forget things more often as they age. They can usually recall them later if their memory loss is related to their age and not due to suffering from dementia.
- Difficulty Planning Or Addressing Problems
A person with dementia may find it challenging to follow a plan, such as a cooking recipe, or driving directions to the doctor.
Problem-solving may also get more complicated, like when adding up numbers to pay bills.
- Trouble Doing Familiar Tasks
Some with dementia can find it hard to complete tasks they usually do, such as changing the settings on a TV, operating a computer, making a cup of coffee, or getting to a familiar place. This difficulty with simple tasks could happen at work or at home.
- Time Or Place Confusion
Dementia can make it difficult to determine the passing of time. Dementia sufferers might also forget where they are at any given time.
They can find it hard to comprehend events in the future or the past and may have a hard time with dates.
- Difficulty Understanding Visual Information
Visual information can be challenging for someone with dementia. It may be hard to read, judge distances, or work out the difference between colors.
Someone who typically drives or rides a bike may start to find these activities complicated.
- Speaking Or Writing Issues
Their handwriting may become less legible as their dementia advances.
Someone suffering from dementia may find it challenging to engage in conversations.
They might forget what they are saying or what somebody else said. Sometimes it can be hard to enter a conversation.
People may also find their grammar, punctuation, and spelling progressively get worse.
Dementia patients handwriting becomes harder to read.
- Losing Or Misplacing Things
Someone with dementia might not be able to remember where they leave everyday objects, like the TV remote, cash, or their car keys.
Misplacing possessions can be annoying and might accuse other people of stealing.
- Making Poor Decisions
It may be difficult for someone with dementia to understand what is reasonable and what is fair. This may mean they are paying too much for things or sure about purchasing things they don’t need.
Some dementia sufferers may also care less about keeping themselves presentable.
- Social Withdrawal
A person with dementia might not want to socialize with other people, in their home life or at their work.
They may become standoffish and not talk to others or seem uninterested when others are speaking to them. They may also stop doing hobbies or group activities that involve others.
- Changes In Their Mood Or Personality
Someone suffering from dementia may go through mood swings or changes in their personality. For example, they can become irritable, depressed, scared, or annoyed.
They sometimes can also become more uninhibited or act out.
When To See A Doctor
A person who has any of these symptoms or notices them in a loved one.
As reported by the Alzheimer’s Association, it is a myth that cognitive functioning will get worse as a person gets older. Signs of cognitive decline can be dementia or another illness in which doctors can assist and provide support.
Even though there is no cure for dementia as of today, a doctor can help slow the advancement of the disease, ease their symptoms, and improve a person’s quality of life.
Read more about early signs of dementia right here.
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