Early Signs of Dementia

What Are Early Signs of Dementia?

Dementia is among the more worrisome conditions older adults encounter … and with good reason. So far, there is no cure for memory loss or dementia, and the way dementia affects each individual can be radically different from the next, making it difficult to predict or anticipate what’s to come.

Despite the unfortunate realities of dementia, there is some good news. Early identification and treatment may not stop or reverse the onset of dementia, but in many cases, therapy can slow its progression and ease the symptoms.

If you suspect your loved one has crossed the threshold of forgetfulness into more specific memory loss or dementia territory, it’s important to consult with a doctor. A trained professional can make a formal diagnosis and recommend treatments that may significantly prolong your loved one’s quality of life.

I’m new to this world of memory loss and dementia. What should I know?

First, know that you’re not alone. An estimated5 million people 65 years and overin America have some form of dementia, and projections show that number continuing to climb — up to 14 million by 2060. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates there are 10 million new cases each year.

That means there are literally millions of family members asking the questions you are now and seeking answers to ease their loved one’s struggles.

An important first step in your journey is recognizing that dementia is not a normal part of aging. Some memory problems are common as cognitive function slows, brain matter deteriorates, and oxygen flows less efficiently to the brain. However, people with dementia aren’t just misplacing keys or forgetting names now and then. Once it progresses beyond the earliest stages, dementia has a debilitating impact on everyday life.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia (although it’s not the only cause). Alzheimer’s is also the most common form of dementia; it represents about 60% to 70% of dementia cases.

Are there early signs of dementia I should be watching for?

In its earliest stages, dementia can look very much like superficial forgetfulness or be easily attributed to age-related cognitive impairment. Subtle symptoms make it difficult to pinpoint whether there’s a more serious problem brewing; however, this time frame may be when interventions are most impactful.
If you’re wondering what the early signs of dementia are, this list can help pinpoint a problem, especially if you see your loved one demonstrating multiple signs and symptoms. A medical assessment is necessary to confirm or rule out a dementia diagnosis.

1. Memory loss of a scope and scale that it affects everyday life: Most often, these memory lapses involve more recently acquired information, while details and memories from years or decades ago remain intact.
2. Inability (or struggle) to overcome challenges or solve problems: Examples include struggling to keep track of bills, follow a recipe, or carry through on a plan that requires multiple steps (e.g., driving the car to the grocery store, purchasing ingredients for dinner and returning home).
3. Trouble completing once-familiar tasks: Activities that were once routine may be interrupted, such as forgetting the rules to a favorite game or skipping steps when dressing in the morning.
4. Disorientation regarding time or place: Time becomes more difficult to comprehend, so your loved one might be confused about where they are or what day it is.
5. Difficulty comprehending images or spatial concepts: Vision problems can be attributed to many other causes, but people with Alzheimer’s may exhibit problems with balance, reading, and judging distance.
6. Language problems, especially when speaking or writing: Communication may be hindered by difficulty following a conversation, vocabulary stumbles and repetition.
7. Losing things or not remembering recent actions: While losing things isn’t unusual, not being able to retrace steps and solve problems is.
8. Increasing evidence of poor judgment: These examples often manifest in financial matters, such as overspending, or neglecting responsibilities such as personal grooming. An occasional indulgent purchase or skipping a shower here and there isn’t a concern; it’s a more persistent pattern of behavior that signals a problem.
9. Social withdrawal or disinterest in activities: Again, these behaviors are more worrisome when they’re ongoing. Abandoning a special hobby or activities that once brought joy should trigger closer monitoring.
10. Shifts in personality or mood: Everyone has a bad day now and then, but the emergence of new character traits — especially suspicion, depression, fear and anxiety — suggest a potential problem.

Is my loved one’s behavior really related to dementia?

One critical reason to consult a doctor about your concerns is the simple fact that what you’re seeing may not be dementia at all. Some symptoms of dementia are caused by conditions that are very treatable and have nothing to do with cognitive function or memory.

Side effects from certain medications are a common culprit (as are some drug interactions and the impact of alcohol when mixed with certain medications). Nutritional deficiencies and dehydration can produce symptoms that mimic the early stages of dementia. Mental health struggles like depression and other forms of emotional distress can elicit dementia-like behaviors and memory lapses.
There are also a number of medical conditions that may present symptoms consistent with dementia. For example, a common infection such as a urinary tract infection can cause confusion that looks quite a bit like dementia. UTIs are quite common among older people and can produce dementia-like behaviors including confusion, agitation and withdrawal.

What care options are available?

In the early stages, someone with dementia may be perfectly capable of living alone and managing their daily affairs. Close monitoring will help you answer the question, “When does someone need memory care?” The answer is often apparent when safety becomes a concern or essential tasks like regular self-care and maintaining a household become less routine.

When living alone or with family no longer seems safe or practical, a dementia or memory care community offers a safe and familiar environment where seniors with dementia can discover a greater sense of confidence and independence. In fact, the therapeutic setting makes memory care a solution at any point in your loved one’s dementia journey.