Early Signs Of Dementia To Look Out For

Early signs of dementia

The term dementia refers to a wide range of disorders that can affect a person’s speech, memory, and information processing.

Early symptoms of dementia are very subtle and ambiguous, and they might not be immediately apparent. They also differ from individual to individual and depend on the kind of dementia.

While the symptoms of dementia might vary depending on the underlying cause, some key indicators are common in the early stages of the disorder.

This article will examine the most common early signs of dementia in detail and what to do if you observe them. 

Early Signs of Dementia

Memory issues do not necessarily indicate dementia [1]. For a doctor to diagnose dementia, the symptoms must substantially disrupt your daily life. Treatment options for dementia may help slow cognitive loss if a doctor diagnoses it early, depending on the cause.

Dementia can lead to impairments in:

  • memory
  • reasoning and problem-solving abilities
  • language skills
  • communication
  • focus

Following are some of the early warning signs of dementia.

Subtle Short-Term Memory Changes

Memory loss may be a precursor to dementia. The alterations are typically minor and affect short-term memory. An individual with dementia may remember events from past years but not what they ate in the morning.

Other short-term memory changes in a person with dementia could include:

  • Not remembering where they put things
  • Forgetting why they went into a particular room
  • Forgetting what they had to do on any particular day
  • Trouble completing a task they started

Trouble Finding the Right Words

The inability to communicate one’s thoughts is another early sign of dementia. A person with dementia might have trouble expressing themselves or explaining things. Additionally, they might pause in the middle of a sentence, unsure how to proceed.

Conversations with people who have dementia can be difficult, and it may take them longer than usual to articulate their thoughts or emotions.

Mood Changes

Another common symptom of dementia is a change in mood. Identifying this change in another person with dementia may be easier than recognizing it in yourself if you have the disorder. For example, in the early stages of dementia, depression is common.

Additionally, a person with dementia may appear more anxious or scared than they were previously. They could become easily agitated if their regular daily schedule is changed or they find themselves in unfamiliar or unusual circumstances.

You may also observe a change in personality in addition to mood changes.

Difficulty Finishing Tasks

Another possible early warning sign of dementia is a slight decline in the ability to complete routine tasks. It typically begins with trouble doing more complicated tasks, such as managing finances and bills, following a recipe, or playing a game with several rules.

Besides the inability to complete daily tasks, a person with dementia may have difficulty learning new things or adhering to new routines.

Confusion

Early-stage dementia patients frequently experience confusion. They might have problems recognizing faces, determining the time of day or month, or figuring out where they were.

A variety of factors and circumstances can lead to confusion. For instance, they can lose their car keys or struggle to remember someone they recently met.

Apathy

Apathy, or listlessness, is a common early-stage dementia symptom. A person who has dementia may become disinterested in past interests or hobbies. They could no longer wish to have fun or go out.

They could additionally lose interest in socializing with friends and family and appear emotionally drained.

Having Trouble Following Storylines

Trouble following storylines is another common early indication of dementia. Dementia patients frequently struggle to follow conversations or television shows, or they forget the meaning of words they hear.

Deteriorating Sense of Direction

The onset of dementia can cause a person’s spatial orientation and sense of direction to deteriorate. They can have trouble identifying familiar spots and lose track of how to travel to once-known locations.

Additionally, following a set of directions or step-by-step instructions can get more challenging for them.

Poor Judgement

The loss of sound decision-making skills is another effect of cognitive decline. For example, someone who has dementia might not be able to identify potentially harmful scenarios. 

Another characteristic of dementia-related impaired judgment is the incapacity to use sound financial judgment. Previously prudent individuals may begin giving their money to causes or individuals they don’t know much about.

Inability to Adjust to Change

It might be frightening for someone who is in the early stages of dementia. Suddenly, they are unable to follow what other people are saying or recall familiar faces. They can get lost on the way home because they fail to remember why they went there.

As a result, individuals may have a strong desire for regularity and be reluctant to attempt new things. Having trouble adjusting to changes is another common sign of early dementia.

Repetition

The person may excessively collect goods or repeat routine tasks like shaving or showering. During a conversation, they may ask the same questions repeatedly or repeat the same story.

When to Consult a Doctor

Memory issues and forgetfulness might not always indicate dementia. Memory loss is a normal aspect of aging, but other issues, including exhaustion, poor attention, multitasking, or some nutritional inadequacies, can also cause it. 

However, you should consult a doctor if you or someone you know is experiencing worsening or non-improvement of dementia symptoms.

A doctor or other healthcare provider will most likely recommend the patient to a neurologist. A neurologist can assess the mental and physical health of you or a loved one and figure out whether the symptoms are related to dementia or another condition. A neurologist may prescribe blood testing, brain imaging tests, a neurological checkup, and memory and mental health assessments.

Although dementia is more prevalent in those over 65, it can occasionally strike those in their 30s, 40s, or 50s as well.

You might be able to delay the progression of dementia and preserve mental function for an extended period with treatment and early detection. Treatment options may include medication, cognitive training, and therapy. 

Alzheimer’s Research Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We provide the latest information and news about the illness and helpful tips to help caregivers cope with their daily caregiving challenges. We realize the most important thing that a caregiver needs is financial assistance. Therefore, we provide grants to caregivers to ease their financial burden. Caregivers can apply for grants here: Alzheimer’s Grant Application

You can also help caregivers in their endeavor by donating as much as possible: Donation To Alzheimer’s Research Associations.

References

  1. Emmady, P.D., Schoo, C. and Tadi, P., 2020. Major neurocognitive disorder (dementia).
  2. Higuera, V. 11 Early Symptoms of Dementia. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/dementia/early-warning-signs. Published Online: 27th March, 2024. Accessed: 21st January, 2025.
  3. Dementia – Early Signs. Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dementia-early-signs. Accessed: 21st January, 2025.
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