Dementia is a common condition that affects a significant portion of the population. According to the World Health Organization, 55 million people currently live with dementia, and 10 million cases are added each year. Despite so much talk about the subject, very few people understand what dementia is and what the symptoms include. This article will serve as an introduction to dementia and list common Signs of Dementia of its early stages.
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What is Dementia?
Most people understand that dementia affects memory and is most commonly found in elderly patients. However, very few people know precisely what dementia is and how it affects aging brains.
The term “dementia” refers to a group of symptoms resulting from severe mental and social decline. It is an overall loss of cognitive function, affecting not only memory but also emotions and reasoning.
These symptoms are often severe enough to affect every aspect of daily life. Therefore, experiencing some issues with memory or executing basic tasks does not necessarily mean that someone has dementia home care.
Are Dementia and Alzheimer’s the Same Thing?
A common misunderstanding is that dementia is the same as Alzheimer’s. However, dementia is a term used to describe significant mental decline, while Alzheimer’s is a disease that causes dementia.
It’s understandable if you’ve thought they are the same condition. Alzheimer’s accounts for up to 80% of dementia cases, so the two terms are often intertwined.
The truth is there are many types of dementia, all with different causes. However, since they all affect cognitive functioning, there are many overlapping symptoms.
Common Early Signs of Dementia
Subtle Memory Problems
Those struggling with the early stages of dementia develop subtle memory problems. This can include forgetting names and appointments, repeating questions and stories, and increasingly relying on memory aids or loved ones for help.
However, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, memory loss associated with dementia is more serious than just occasionally forgetting important facts or details. Typical age-related issues that do not include dementia include occasionally forgetting these things but remembering them later. People living with dementia develop memory problems that are consistent and affect every aspect of their life.
Struggling to Complete Basic Tasks
According to Healthline, a common subtle sign of dementia is that the person struggles to complete everyday tasks. These can include dressing appropriately for the weather or balancing a checkbook.
Furthermore, learning new routines, tasks, or skills is difficult, if not impossible, for someone living with dementia. Since dementia affects the hippocampus (the part of the brain associated with memory and learning) the most, it prevents the person’s ability to learn or adapt to anything new.
Difficulty in Conversations
Another early sign of dementia is that the person experiences difficulty conversing with others. For example, they may struggle to follow along during a conversation or stop abruptly in the middle of a sentence. Other problems also include forgetting certain words or not using proper vocabulary.
Though occasionally forgetting a word or struggling to finish a sentence is a typical age-related problem, those with early signs of dementia struggle frequently and often have difficulty conversing with their loved ones.
Mood and Behavioral Changes
When dementia begins to set in, the person can experience wild mood swings. People living with dementia often become very sad or withdrawn very quickly, and rarely with a good reason. This will be most noticeable in people who don’t already experience violent mood swings.
Depression and anxiety are also common, especially if the person is aware of the difficulties that their dementia is causing. In fact, up to 50% of people who live with dementia experience depression at some point.
Loss of Sense of Direction
Most people are aware that those who live with dementia struggle with their sense of direction as their cognitive functioning worsens. As dementia progresses, the person may struggle to discern distances and lose track of where they are. This can make it difficult and even dangerous for the person to walk or drive anywhere alone.
In fact, six out of ten people with dementia wander off at least once. Many of them take hours to return, even if they were just going to a nearby store. Some never make it back home.
Apathy
One sign of dementia that is rarely discussed is apathy. However, this is a crucial sign that something is wrong as 70% of those who have dementia caused by Alzheimer’s exhibit apathy at some point.
Apathy can show up as having little energy, no curiosity, or not having an emotional response to events, whether they be good or bad. They generally don’t care about what is happening around them. This can contribute to other issues such as depression or difficulty concentrating.
Final Thoughts
Dementia is becoming an increasingly prominent problem in society. In fact, it is estimated that dementia cases will triple by 2050. Understanding what dementia is and the warning signs are keys to treating the problem and preventing it from worsening.
If you believe that you or a loved one is starting to experience dementia, discuss the issue with a medical professional right away to see what your options are for treatment and prevention.
