6 Signs Your Loved One Has Dementia
Posted on: 16 July 2020
Share
Dementia is a condition that affects memory and communication and is more common among elderly adults. The disease can severely impact a person's day-to-day life. Although the idea of your loved one developing this condition is scary, it is still important to look out for early warning signs. Here are some of the early signs of dementia.
Short-Term Memory Loss
While forgetting where a pair of keys are from time to time usually is not a cause for concern, frequent forgetfulness may be troublesome. If you notice that your loved frequently forgets why they went into a certain room or never remembers where they left their items, they may be experiencing early symptoms of dementia.
Apathy
It is also common for dementia patients to become more apathetic. They might not want to participate in their favorite activities anymore and just sit at home. If your loved one once had many hobbies and an active social life, sudden apathy may indicate that he or she has dementia.
Mood Changes
People with dementia may experience changes in their mood in the early stages of the disease. For example, if your family member was once happy-go-lucky and is now irritable and depressed, dementia may be the cause.
Communication Problems
Dementia patients might also have trouble keeping up with conversations. They may have difficulty understanding what other people are saying and ask them to repeat themselves often. If your loved one often takes a long time to find the right word or takes frequent pauses, he or she may be displaying early signs of dementia.
Difficulty Completing Simple Tasks
People with dementia may have difficulty completing everyday tasks that were once so easy to them. If your loved one has dementia, he or she may struggle doing simple things, such as paying bills, using a computer, or making a cup of coffee.
Trouble Solving Problems
Dementia also affects a person's problem solving skills. Does your loved one have difficulty following a simple recipe or following directions when driving? If so, your family member may be exhibiting early signs of dementia and should be looked at by a medical professional right away.
If your loved one is displaying any of these signs, it is important to take him or her to see a doctor as soon as possible. Although there is not a cure for dementia, the symptoms can be managed through dementia care services.