Typical Age Related Changes or Dementia?
How do you know if a loved one is showing typical age related changes? Is it possible to show early signs and symptoms of dementia? Memory loss, behavior changes, and increased confusion are some of the telltale signs of dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Association says about 5.8 million people will be affected by Alzheimer’s disease in 2020. While AD is the most common cause of dementia, there are many other causes and types. In some cases, a person may exhibit changes in cognitive, behavioral, and executive function that are characteristic of more than one type of dementia.
There are some basic early warning signs for dementia that you can look for. If a loved one should seek a comprehensive medical workup and cognitive testing, keep an eye out for these red flags.
Short-Term Memory Loss and Forgetfulness
The most common symptom of dementia is memory loss. Just because Dad can’t remember where he put his wallet or calls the grandchildren by different names, doesn’t mean he has Alzheimer’s or dementia. The early effects of this disease can result in a person forgetting entire conversations that took place only moments ago, but we all forget the details of a conversation from time to time. AD affects short-term memory first, meaning a person forgets information they recently learned.
Patients with dementia often ask for the same information multiple times. Sometimes, they have to rely on reminders from family members to maintain their regular schedules.
Inability to Concentrate and Confusion
Lack of concentration and increased confusion are also indicators. Normal activities can take longer if they are difficult to concentrate on. Dementia patients may forget where they are, or they may get lost trying to find their way around. Some people have trouble differentiating between the past, the future, and the present because of their condition. They can lose track of the weather and seasons, and the time of day, which can cause them to not show when expected, or show up at a different time altogether.
Losing their Personal or Every-day Things
A person with dementia may misplace things. Everyone misplaces their car and house keys from time to time, but finding lost keys in the freezer could be a sign of a more serious problem. A senior may lose things and not be able to retrace their steps to find them. This situation can lead to accusations of theft if they can’t find their things in their expected place. As a result they may wind up placing their things in more, and more unusual hiding places to deter the “thief”.
Difficulty Performing Familiar Activities of Daily Living
One’s ability to do normal everyday tasks is also affected by this condition. Patients with dementia may have trouble remembering how to drive, cook a favorite recipe, or play a game. Activities that would have otherwise have become second nature to them. They may be forced to rely more and more on a spouse or family member to do things for them. Symptoms can affect one’s visual abilities as well, such as depth perception, estimating distance and seeing colors. Increased clumsiness, accidents, falls and other atypical accidents can be noticed by family and friends.
Speech and Language Problems
Language and Speech Problems affect how a person creates and processes language. A victim of Dementia and Alzheimer’s can also have trouble remembering the right words. Some senior sometimes use other words for common items, such as “stuff”, “thing-a-ma-bob”, while others still even create their own made up words for objects they can’t recall. Someone with dementia might even call a watch a hand clock.
They can stop abruptly in the middle of a conversation because of the confusion and impaired word-finding ability.
Problems Performing Simple Arithmetic
The early stages of dementia may make it difficult for people to work with numbers. Dementia patients may have difficulty balancing their checkbook, calculating tips, or performing addition and subtraction. The inability to complete basic, routine problems is a sign that something is wrong.
Changes in Decision-making and Judgment
There are changes in decision-making abilities, rational thought processes and judgment. A person who has made poor or risky decisions all their life probably doesn’t have a medical condition related to Alzheimer’s or Dementia. In a scenario where a logical person who used to carefully weigh all their options and make informed decisions suddenly begins showing poor judgement, dementia could be the culprit. It could include falling for offers that are clearly scam, reckless spending or not dressing appropriately for the weather.
Personality Changes and Wild Mood Swings
Mood swings and personality changes are possible. They could become fearful, suspicious, paranoid, depressed or anxious. A confident person might be shy. They may be upset and frustrated in new places where they are not used to.
Deteriorating Personal Hygiene
Changes in grooming and personal hygiene, such as wearing the same clothes day after day, and not brushing their teeth, are indicators of dementia. If a person kept their home clean all their life but suddenly stops doing so, it could be a cause for concern about their mental state.
Social Withdrawing
A senior withdrawing from social opportunities and activities can be a red flag. Affected individuals avoid these situations because they don’t want to draw attention to their problems. A person with dementia who is aware of their inability to converse or perform tasks as they once did, may lose confidence and remove themselves from situations in which they would normally interact with friends and family. Depression and anxiety can lead to withdrawal from social situations.
Addressing Early Signs of Alzheimer’s or Dementia
If you notice any of the above signs and think they may have Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, make a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible. Making legal and financial plans for the future, and ruling out curable conditions that can mimic symptoms of dementia, are all things that can be done with an early diagnosis. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is crucial for effective planning and treatment.