Dementia is a progressive brain disease that can affect people at any age. It's characterized by memory loss, changes in personality and behavior, physical problems, and problems with thinking and reasoning. If you're concerned about your loved one's mental state or want to learn more about what signs may indicate dementia, here are some common early indicators:
Memory loss
Memory loss is a common symptom of dementia, but it doesn't always mean you have the disease. It can also be caused by other medical conditions and physical conditions, such as stroke or head injuries. And there are many other symptoms that mimic dementia without actually being it—persistent confusion; an inability to remember names or faces; inability to participate in daily activities; disorientation (the person may get lost easily); wandering behavior; sleep difficulties (such as insomnia).
While memory loss can be a sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD), it may also be just one of many early warning signs for other types of dementia. The earlier you notice these signs, the easier it will be for your doctor to diagnose AD or another form of dementia and start treatment right away with medication or other therapies that might slow down further progress toward full-blown dementia
Personality changes
Personality changes are a common symptom of dementia, but they can be difficult to notice. You might not notice that your loved one has changed their personality at all until years later when you begin to suspect that something is wrong with them.
The reason why this happens is because personality changes are often subtle, and it may take someone close to the person who has been diagnosed with dementia several years before they decide enough time has passed for them to notice any difference in their loved one's behavior or actions.
It's also possible that these subtle changes will go unnoticed by friends and family members who have known the person for many years—even though these people have seen recent signs that something isn't quite right with them (for example: memory loss).
Difficulty locating the proper words
- Not being able to find the right phrases.
- Difficulty with word retrieval.
- Difficulty with word pronunciation.
- Difficulty with word recognition, comprehension or retention of information learned in one form or another.
Memory loss is common in dementia, but it's not always easy to recognize as such until someone tells you that they are starting to forget things you've said or done together—or even just random things like where they parked their car last week. This can be frustrating for everyone involved because there is no way around it at this point; if your loved one has memory issues then those issues will only get worse over time if nothing changes soon enough.
Difficulty with making plans and organizing tasks
You may notice that your loved one is having difficulty with planning and organizing tasks. He or she might also have difficulty making decisions, following through on tasks, paying attention or multi-tasking. Family members can help their aging loved ones by taking an active role in helping them manage their daily lives and stay engaged with society. If you suspect that your loved one has early signs of dementia, get help from a doctor to evaluate the patient's risk for developing this condition.
If the doctor confirms that your loved one has dementia, it's important to establish a treatment plan. The doctor will work with you and your loved one to develop a care plan that includes medication and lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.
Problems with decision-making skills
- Memory loss
- Difficulty making decisions
- Difficulty with making plans and organizing tasks
- Problems with decision-making skills
Problems with coordination and balance, including falling or feeling unsteady
As you get older, your brain starts to lose its ability to process information. This is called dementia. Dementia can cause memory loss and confusion as well as personality changes like agitation or depression.
Dementia isn't caused by aging alone; it's a disease that affects the brain and nervous system over time. The symptoms of dementia vary from person-to-person but often begin with mild problems like forgetfulness followed by more serious problems such as hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there) or delusions (believing things that aren't true). Early onset usually has less severe symptoms than late onset because it doesn't spread through the whole brain at once but instead attacks just specific parts of it - namely the hippocampus which helps us make new memories.
Look for these early signs of dementia to get help before it's too late
If you think that you might be experiencing some of these early signs of dementia, it is important to get help. Early stage dementia is more likely to be detected in people who are experiencing memory loss and difficulty with communication. These symptoms can include:
- Forgetting things easily
- Having trouble remembering names or faces (especially if they’ve known each other for a long time)
- Making mistakes when doing routine tasks at work or home
Conclusion
I hope that this article has helped you understand what to look for in your loved one and how to cope with dementia. As I have mentioned before, it is never too late for early detection. The earlier you start down the path of Alzheimer's disease treatment, the better your chances will be at fighting back against memory loss and other symptoms.