Know The Warning Signs Of Dementia

It is easy to miss the first warning signs of dementia, either because we laugh them off as “senior moments,” or because the undeniable red flags feel too scary or sad to address head-on. That said, it is essential to know and honor the first warning signs of dementia or age-related memory loss.  

Doing so ensures you get an accurate diagnosis, can create a customized long-term care plan that includes input from the person while s/he can still speak for him/herself, and gives you time to make lifestyle changes that notably slow down the disease's progression. 

First and foremost, your care plan should consider whether the goal is to age-in-place with graduated in-home care as needed or whether it is time to transition into an assisted living community. Studies are clear that creating and implementing a care plan immediately, rather than when dementia gets to the mid to later stages improves the quality of life for both the patient and their spouse and family members. 

In addition to knowing and recognizing the warning signs of dementia, we recommend visiting our page on Connecting With and Caring for Those with Dementia, which can help spouses and family members learn new ways to enjoy quality time with loved ones when memory loss moves into the mid to later stages of the disease. 

Dementia: A Broad Term Describing Progressive Memory Loss 

Dementia is defined as a “decline and/or loss of memory, reasoning, judgment, behavior, language and other mental abilities that are not a part of normal aging; it usually progressively worsens over time.” It is a broad term that encompasses many of the other diagnoses that lead to dementia, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia yet, nor can it be reversed in most cases. Some patients who catch it early and make significant lifestyle changes - specifically in regards to diet, supplementation, exercise, and sleep habits - can find their symptoms diminish for a while.  

That said, the early diagnosis and treatment of dementia can notably increase the patient’s quality of life. 

9 Common Warning Signs Of Dementia 

Here are nine common warning signs of dementia. Not everyone experiences the same thing. The main thing is for partners, spouses, and family members to pay attention and consider scheduling an appointment with their senior loved one’s general practitioner (GP) if any of these signs become apparent or are in direct opposition to the senior’s normal way of being. 

Forgetting Names, Faces, Appointments, and Due Dates

We all forget these things occasionally, but someone in the early stages of dementia forgets more often than usual. This goes beyond normal age-related memory lapses and becomes more routine, especially affecting short-term memory. This could mean remembering long-past events but struggling to recall what happened last weekend or forgetting appointments that are regularly noted on a calendar.

Easily Confused and Disoriented in New (and Familiar) Places

You may get a call from your loved one that they are in a parking lot and can’t remember their way home. This confusion and disorientation can also manifest as difficulty focusing on tasks and becoming distracted more frequently, affecting their ability to complete familiar tasks.

Losing or Forgetting Their Words

In the beginning, losing a word here or there may seem funny or almost like a joke. Enough repeats of this, though, and both the individual and those closest to him/her will realize it is more than just the occasional glitch. In the beginning, s/he may compensate for word loss by finding a synonym or describing what the word means.  

Over time, word loss will become more common and by the later stages of dementia, the person will experience aphasia, which is the loss of intelligible speech and conversations. 

Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks

Cooks may struggle with recipes, or gardeners might forget which plants are weeds. This not only indicates potential memory loss but also reflects the broader routine forgetfulness and loss of focus characteristic of dementia.

Personality Changes

Short-term memory loss can result in noticeable personality changes early on. From retreating from favorite activities to becoming irrationally irritable or moody, these shifts are often more severe than typical aging-related changes, indicating underlying dementia.

Mood Swings

Dementia can lead to drastic mood swings. A formerly loving and gentle person may become irritable, short-tempered, and even abusive. These mood swings can be indicative of the emotional toll of cognitive decline and the individual’s internal struggle with their changing mental state.

Poor Judgement

The decline in short-term memory and critical thinking can lead to poor judgment. This may include inappropriate decisions that are out of character for the individual, reflecting the cognitive impairments brought on by dementia.

Paranoia or Suspiciousness

Individuals with dementia may become unduly paranoid or suspicious, possibly seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. This can be challenging and is often compounded by their emotional responses to their cognitive decline.

Fabrication of Memories

People with dementia, aware of their memory lapses, might fabricate memories or stories. This is not just to cover gaps but also as a coping mechanism for the embarrassment or shame they feel due to their cognitive decline.

Schedule A Free Assessment Today

Have you noticed the warning signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s in your spouse or family member? Contact HomeAide Home Care to schedule a free assessment to see how we can help them. We will listen to your story and are happy to provide no-obligation tips on how to move forward with a comprehensive memory care plan.