If you are caring for, or simply concerned for an elderly
parent or relative and their health and wellbeing, then it can be useful to
understand the early signs of dementia. Dementia is not an uncommon problem for
seniors as they get older and can lead to various symptoms such as memory loss,
confusion, mood swings, communication problems and mental health concerns. The
good news is that when dementia is diagnosed as early as possible, there is a
higher chance that treatments such as medication can be used to help keep this
disease under control and minimize the impact that it has on the patient's
life.
If you have a loved one who you suspect might be showing
some signs of this disease, then a visit to the doctor for further
investigation is always a good idea. Knowing what to look out for when it comes
to early-stage dementia will help you make the right decisions in terms of your
loved one's care.
Memory Loss
Often, memory loss
might be one of the first symptoms you notice if a loved one is suffering with
early stage dementia. Problems with memory loss can manifest themselves in
various different ways including short-term memory loss, where your loved one
might be often forgetting what they have just done, or a conversation that you
have just had with them. You may notice that they are more likely to forget
appointments compared to in the past or are forgetting the names of people that
they have known all their lives. If your loved one has begun asking for the
same information over and over or is repeating stories that they have told you
previously but forgotten about, then it may be worth taking further medical
action.
Trouble Completing Everyday Tasks
Having issues with completing everyday tasks that they may
not have struggled at all with in the past is another sign that your loved one
might be suffering from the early stages of dementia. For some people with
dementia, their inability to do everyday tasks may get to a point where they
will need specialist care such as that provided at this skilled nursing facility St Louis.
If you are caring for a loved one who has developed the
early stages of dementia, you may notice that they are struggling to do
everyday things at home such as cleaning, cooking for themselves, getting
dressed, bathing themselves and more. They might forget how to do things that
they have done every day for many years like locking the front door or starting
their car. If you're noticing that your loved one is having problems in areas
where they have never previously struggled, then it's worth speaking to a
doctor about your concerns.
Communication Issues
Another common problem reported in people who are in the
early stages of developing dementia is problems with language and
communication. You may notice that they are more reluctant to join in on
conversations compared to in the past, or that they join a conversation and
then forget how to keep it going. People who are developing the early stages of
dementia might have trouble remembering common words or get their words mixed
up more often. They might use simple words out of context or forget the names
of common objects that they see and use every day. Forgetting the names of
people that they are close to and know well is another common sign that
something might not be quite right.
Mood Swings
Another early sign of dementia to look out for is
unexplained mood swings and changes in personality. If your relative has
developed dementia and is in the early stages, you may notice that they are
more depressed, confused, anxious or paranoid than usual. You may notice that
they become more easily and quickly upset, especially if they are in a place
that they are not sure about.
It is not uncommon for people who are developing dementia to
experience paranoia, increased anxiety, panic attacks, depression and even
violent mood swings, especially if these go away very quickly and it only takes
minutes for them to suddenly appear visibly calm again. Rage, fear, overwhelm,
and obsessing over the smaller details are further signs that somebody might be
developing dementia, as they are all signs that somebody is trying to make
sense of a world that is becoming more and more confusing.
Depression
Depression can often be one of the first early signs of
dementia that you might notice in an elderly relative. If your loved one is
developing dementia, then you may notice that they are not going out and
socializing or taking part in activities that they used to enjoy as often as
they use to. They may have a sense of hopelessness and be increasingly
isolating themselves. Dementia causes confusion and overwhelm, which may lead
your loved one to feel increasingly disconnected from the world around them.
They may spend a lot more time than usual sleeping, or you might notice that
they are struggling to get everyday things done like housework tasks or personal
hygiene.
Financial Trouble
Another main tell-tale sign that somebody has started to
develop dementia is financial problems. This is especially true if your
relative is somebody who has always been good with money, but you have noticed
that recently they are having a lot of financial issues. Difficulty calculating
numbers is a symptom of the early stages of dementia. Because of this, your
loved one might have started spending money more frivolously than usual or
spending or giving their money away in a way that is not characteristic of
them. They might struggle to keep track of and keep on top of their monthly
bills and expenses, which may lead to problems with arrears and debt.
Poor Decision-Making and Judgement
Somebody with the early stages of dementia may experience
changes in their decision-making and judgement abilities. This could be related
to bigger things in life, or it might affect the basics, such as judging when
they need to go to bed, tidy up, bathe themselves, go to the toilet or change their
clothes. You may notice things about your relative that can be signs their
judgement and decision-making skills are beginning to wane as a result of the
dementia, such as wearing the same clothes for several days in a row,
forgetting to brush their teeth, brush their hair or shave, forgetting to
shower or bathe, or forgetting to tidy up and clean around their home.
Confusion in Familiar Surroundings
Another early sign of dementia to look out for is a person becoming confused easily in surroundings that they should be familiar with. When
visiting somewhere that they go a lot, your relative might act confused that
they are there at all, forget where the place is, or be confused as to how they
got there. Somebody with dementia may also become even more easily confused due
to losing track of time, dates, and seasons.
Dementia alters the brain where is will only be able to
focus on the present moment, which may lead to signs of confusion in your
relative about events that are not happening immediately. They may not be able
to remember familiar places unless they are there at the time, or struggle to
recall people who are not with them in the moment.
Visual Problems
Early onset dementia can also cause visual problems, such as
difficulty reading, struggling to determine colors, poor distance judgement and
a lack of spatial awareness. You may find that a relative who used to love to
read spends less time reading these days, or they can't see what's on the TV
when they are watching it. They might struggle with everyday things such as
being able to do up buttons and zippers on clothing or eating with a knife and
fork.
Things Being Put in Wrong Places
While we're all guilty of putting something back in the
wrong place from time to time, this can happen on a much more serious level
with early onset dementia. People who are in the early stages of dementia might
put things back in the strangest of places only to forget that they put it
there and get very upset believing that they have lost the item or that it has
been stolen from them.
If your loved one has been losing a lot of things recently only for them to turn up somewhere you would never have imagined them to put it, then this is a concerning sign. If you've found things like the TV remote in the washing machine or toothbrushes in the dining room, then this could be a sure sign of early onset dementia that is not to be ignored, and your relative will benefit from seeing a doctor as soon as possible.
Whether you care for a parent or another older relative, understanding the early signs of dementia and how to spot them will help you ensure that your relative gets the best treatment and care as early as possible.
