Six Warning Signs Of Dementia Everyone Should Know

Dementia is not an illness. It is a group of signs and symptoms brought on by several diseases, including Alzheimer’s, that cause damage to the brain. Depending on which area of the brain is injured, these symptoms can change.

Everybody will experience dementia symptoms differently, and different dementia kinds might impact people differently as well.

Nonetheless, a few typical early signs could show up before dementia is officially diagnosed.

Here are some of the warning signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s everyone should know.

1. Mood Swings

People should be aware of additional symptoms, such as mood changes, as dementia is not a normal aspect of aging.

However, it’s possible that people won’t recognize these symptoms straight away, and that friends and family won’t see them or treat them seriously for a while. For certain individuals, these symptoms won’t become worse and will stay the same. Dementia will eventually strike other people with moderate cognitive impairment (MCI).

2. Finding it challenging to pick up new skills

“If I got a new piece of tech or kit, it might take me a long time to set it up, but I think I’d get there by following the instructions,” stated Dr. Tim Beanland, head of knowledge at the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK. However, it can be quite challenging to learn how to operate a new appliance or gadget if you have dementia.

3. Asking Questions Repeatedly

For instance, you shouldn’t be concerned if your spouse or partner tells you they’re going out later in the evening but you can’t remember what time they said they’d return.

“However, dementia patients typically don’t recall details from five to ten minutes ago, so you may repeatedly ask them questions,” Beanland added.

“A family member may ask you the same question repeatedly; it’s certainly not the dementia patient’s fault, but it can be rather aggravating. That sounds like a dementia-related issue, and it’s the kind of thing I would take to the doctor.

4. Placing items in odd locations

It’s acceptable to lose track of where you put your phone or keys. However, according to Beanland, it’s typical for people with dementia to arrange objects in odd ways. For example, you might store your house keys in the cabinet in your bathroom. This behavior may be attributed to dementia, however it is a little strange.

5. Having trouble staying organized

Sometimes it’s hard to organize yourself, especially as you become older. This could also indicate that, for example, managing the budget or paying payments takes longer. “But if you’ve got dementia, people really struggle, losing the ability to be organised and plan ahead,” said Beanland.

It’s crucial to remember what has always been “normal” for you, though, as identifying changes is what matters most.

Beanland said, “It’s normal for you to get older, but if you’ve always been rubbish with the bills or have never had a good memory, you’re not going to get better.”

6. Finding everyday living difficult

According to Beanland, dementia symptoms will make it difficult for you to go about your daily life.

“It’s that shift from normal into these symptoms that interfere with day-to-day functioning; for example, you find it difficult to plan ahead, organize your life, or even remember where you parked your car.” These are more than just irritations; they may seriously impair your capacity to be functional.

It takes a team of people to care for a person with dementia; multiple people share tasks and responsibilities in this endeavor.