Dementia is a general term for memory loss and a decline in mental capacities severe enough to affect a person's capacity to perform normally in his everyday life. There are many types of dementia, but the most common one is the Alzheimer's disease which accounts for approximately 60-80% of cases. Next to Alzheimer's disease is Vascular dementia which usually occurs after a stroke. Dementia can be caused by many conditions, some of which are reversible such as vitamin deficiencies and thyroid problems.
Since this condition greatly affects not just the patient involved but also their loved ones, we should never dismiss any signs of dementia.
15 Early Dementia Signs
Changes in short-term memory
One early symptom is having trouble with memory, specifically short-term memories. These are subtle changes such as struggling to remember what food did they have for lunch, why did they enter this room, where did they leave their eyeglass or any item or what were they supposed to do.
Difficulty in finding the right word
We have moments where we can't seem to find the exact word to say when it's already at the tip of our tongues. Patients with dementia are having problem expressing their thoughts as they often experience struggles finding the right word. They are often having a hard time converting their thoughts into actual conversations. You would need patience when talking to patients with dementia as they tend to form their sentence longer.
Mood swings
One of the most common signs of dementia is change in mood or behavior. A patient with dementia may seem to be jolly one minute then suddenly turns sad or angry the next. Depression is also common for those in their early stage. Aside from change in the mood, there is also a shift in their personality. For instance, an outgoing person may turn introvert and shy.
Feeling of apathy
Patients with early stage of dementia often develop a feeling of apathy - or lack of concern, interest or enthusiasm at things.
They would instantly lose interest in activities or hobbies that they were passionate about. They've lost interest in social activities such as catching up with friends or simply going out. They may seem blank emotionally and don't feel anything towards friends, family or loved ones.
Difficulty in performing daily tasks
A person with early dementia may find it challenging in completing some of their normal tasks. This usually starts in having challenge in doing complicated tasks such as playing games that has lots of difficult rules or balancing a checkbook. This then progresses to difficulty in performing normal tasks done every day. Aside from having struggles with daily tasks, patients with dementia may also experience struggles in learning new things.
Feeling of confusion
Confusion is one of the symptoms of dementia in the early stage. Confusion often arises when there is a lapse in memory, judgment or thinking. It can be overwhelming when you don’t recognize the person that you’re speaking to, don’t know how to socialize with others anymore or can’t seem to find the right words.
Difficulty following plot of stories
One of the classic early symptom of this condition is having difficulty understanding and following plots of the story. Not only do they find expressing the right words difficult, they also have struggles in following a conversation or understanding a movie or TV show.
Difficulty in adapting to change
One of the most common signs of dementia, especially in the early stage, is struggling in accepting and adapting to changes. They develop fear in the sudden unfamiliarity of places, people or events. Because of this, they feel apprehensive in trying new things and would rather stick to their routines.
Difficulty in remembering directions
Onset dementia may often show deterioration in spatial orientation or sense of direction. Patient may not be able to recognize a familiar landmark or may be having difficulty going to a location that they often visited to before. They would also be having problem following step-by-step instructions or a series of direction.
Repetition
Along with changes in behavior and decline in mental function, patients with dementia often do things in repetition. This means that they may repeat doing certain things, such as washing the dishes, going to the grocery store, etc. They may also develop an obsession in collecting some things.
Repetition may not only be limited to doing certain things but also in conversation. They may tend to repeat the same questions even after it has been answered a few seconds ago or keep on telling the same stories over and over again.
Change in taste buds
Another early warning sign of this condition is a sudden shift in taste buds or food preference. A change in appetite is brought about by the changes to the part of your brain that controls the taste buds.
Developing new criminal behaviors
Patients tend to exhibit criminal behaviors such as trespassing, stealing or driving violations as the part of the brain that recognizes social conventions and rules is affected.
Inability to recognize sarcasm
On the list of early signs of dementia is the inability to recognize other sarcasm, lies and other forms of insincere speech. This is because the disease affects the part of your brain which interprets verbal information in its higher order.
A decrease in physical speed
People with dementia tend to have a decrease speed in walking. The damage caused in the brain by the disease affects the physical capacity of the patient.
Hoarding habit
Research from the University of California shows patients with dementia tend to develop a habit of hoarding and other compulsive behaviors that tend to be ritualistic.
For example, buying supplies of canned goods, frozen foods, newspaper, flashlights, medicines and saving them for emergencies or calamities.
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