The Early Warning Signs of Dementia: A Detailed Guide

Around 55 million people live with dementia globally. What’s more, there are about 10 million new cases each year. Dementia is a decline in cognitive function and can affect your memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior.

While some types of dementia get worse with time, some are treatable or even reversible if they’re discovered early. Below are early warning signs of dementia you should look out for and how to get help.

Memory Loss

Having trouble with memory is one of the common symptoms of dementia. The changes often involve short-term memory. If your loved one has dementia, they may be able to remember events that took place years ago but not what they did a few hours ago.

You may notice that they display subtle memory problems, like:

• Difficulty recalling new information, dates, or events
• Struggling to remember what they were supposed to do at a particular time
• Forgetting where they placed items

Difficulty Finding the Right Words

Is your loved one having trouble communicating their thoughts?

They may have dementia. People suffering from dementia often have a hard time finding the right words to express themselves. You may notice that they stop in the middle of a sentence and do not know how to continue.

Apart from forgetting what they are saying, they can forget what somebody else has said. This can make having a conversation with them difficult.

Changes in Mood and Personality

If your loved one has dementia, you may notice changes in their mood. For example, they may become depressed, anxious, irritable, or fearful. Mostly you will notice they are more fearful or upset when they find themselves in unfamiliar situations.

Also, you may notice a shift in personality. One type of personality change seen in dementia patients is a shift from being outgoing to being shy and quiet.

Withdrawal from Socializing

Whether at home or work, a person with dementia may lose interest in socializing with friends or family. They may not want to go out anymore. You’ll also notice that they’re uninterested in hobbies or fun activities.

Difficulty Completing Tasks

Inability to complete common tasks is also a possible early warning sign of dementia. It can typically start with difficulty doing more complex tasks to simpler, everyday tasks. They may have trouble:

• Keeping track of bills
• Getting to a particular location
• Changing TV settings
• Playing a game with many rules
• Balancing a checkbook
• Following a recipe
• Operating a computer
• Making a cup of tea

Confusion

Someone in the early stages of dementia may often become disoriented. You may notice that they have trouble figuring out where they are, recognizing the date, or remembering faces. They may find it hard to understand events in the past and future.

Difficulty Following Storylines

Difficulty following storylines is among the early warning signs of dementia. People suffering from dementia often struggle to follow along with conversations or TV shows.

Failing Sense of Direction

With the onset of dementia, your loved one’s sense of direction and spatial orientation can start getting worse. You will notice that they have difficulty recognizing familiar places and landmarks. They may also have trouble following step-by-step instructions or a series of directions.

Repetition

Due to failing memory and general behavioral changes, people with dementia will often become repetitive. You will notice that they repeat the same statements or questions during a conversation or tell the same story more than once. They may also obsessively collect items or repeat daily tasks like shaving.

Difficulty Adapting to Change

During the early stages of dementia, you may notice your loved one prefers clinging to routine. When they’re introduced to any changes, they may become anxious or fearful. This may be because they are having trouble remembering their way home, people they know, or why they went to a particular place.

Poor Judgment

If your loved one is living with dementia, they may often lose the ability to make good decisions. This may mean that they may not be able to recognize dangerous situations. For example, they may attempt to cross a busy street when it isn’t safe.

They may also have difficulty making good financial decisions. Some people with dementia may pay too much for things, buy things they don’t need or give money to people they don’t know.

Challenges in Understanding Visual Information

Visual information can be challenging for people living with dementia. It can be hard for them to judge distance, work out the differences between colors, and determine contrast. This can make them have issues with activities like driving.

How to Manage Early Warning Signs of Dementia

If your loved one experience two or more of these dementia symptoms, there are steps you can take to manage the condition. They include:

Diagnosis

You must first determine if they have dementia by taking them to a neurologist. They can conduct a series of exams and tests to diagnose the type of dementia they have. These tests include:

• Medical and family history
• Physical exam
• Laboratory tests
• Cognitive and neuropsychological tests
• Brain scans
• Psychiatric evaluation
• Neurological evaluation
• Medication

Two main types of medication are used to help improve dementia symptoms. They’re often prescribed together. Here are examples:

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

These medications increase a chemical called acetylcholine. The chemical can help form memories and improve judgment. They include galantamine (Razadyne), donepezil (Aricept), and rivastigmine (Exelon). They can cause side effects like nausea, slowed heart rate, vomiting, fainting diarrhea, and sleep disturbances.

Memantine

It works by delaying the onset of behavioral and cognitive symptoms in people with dementia. This drug will help your loved ones maintain their usual mental functions for longer. A common side effect of the drug is dizziness.

The doctor may also prescribe medications to treat other symptoms, like agitation, depression, hallucinations, and sleep disturbances.

Therapies

Therapy can help you reduce symptoms of dementia. Some of the non-drug therapies your loved one may need to include:

Occupational Therapy

Hiring an occupational therapist can help teach your loved one coping behaviors and make their home safer and teach coping behaviors. It will prevent accidents, manage behavior, and also prepare your loved one for dementia progression.

Modifying the Environment

This involves reducing clutter and noise. It will make it easier for a person with dementia to focus and function. You may also need to hide objects that can threaten safety like car keys and knives.

Simplifying Tasks

you can work with health care professionals or homecare services to break down tasks for your loved one living with dementia. It makes it easy for them to follow along. Also, create structure and routine to help reduce their confusion.

Being Physically Active

Physical activity pumps blood to the brain, nourishing the cells with nutrients and oxygen. It also helps to reduce stress and improve your mood. Being physically active can minimize risk factors for dementia-like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and depression.

Being Socially Active

Staying connected with friends and family can help people with dementia stay connected mentally. This can help reduce their risk of developing dementia. When you encourage a person with dementia to have an active social life, it can minimize risk factors for dementia such as social isolation and depression.

They can maintain a social life by:

• Finding time to volunteer
• Engaging in activities like a book club, play, and more
• Maintaining old friendships
• Making new friends
• Engaging in cultural activities
• Playing games

Maintaining a Healthy Diet

Eating healthy meals can reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. These are common risk factors for dementia. Some tips for eating healthily include:

• Eat foods considered as a mind diet like vegetables, Mediterranean food, fruits, and more
• Consider reducing processed foods, meat, and sweets
• Avoid smoking
• Minimize alcohol consumption
• Limit red meat, butter, and margarine

Managing Stress

While experiencing stress is part of everyday life, it can cause chemical balances and vascular changes that can be damaging to the brain. Managing stress will help improve your brain health, reducing the risk of dementia. You can manage stress through:

• Recognize the symptoms of chronic stress
• Practice deep breathing exercises
• Do meditation and yoga exercises
• Get plenty of sleep
• Seek counseling and support

Challenge the Brain

Challenging the brain can help people living with dementia live and manage their daily activities well. It can include doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku. You can also encourage your loved ones to challenge their brain through activities and hobbies like enjoying music.

In-Home Care

If your loved ones’ dementia becomes severe, you may need in-home care. These services can help them manage their medical care and finances when you aren’t available to support them. It can give you peace of mind knowing they are in safe hands in the comfort of their own home.

When to Consult a Doctor

If you notice that you or your loved one are starting to experience early warning signs of dementia, don’t ignore it. You should contact a doctor and ask for a consultation. They can offer a proper diagnosis and help you slow down the progression of the disease.

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