When you repeatedly misplace your car keys, forget completely how to turn on the Smart TV or your senior mom calls to ask you the same question she asked you yesterday and the day before, your thoughts may turn to dementia.
Dementia is defined as a condition that causes difficulty with:
- Memory
- Thinking
- Language, including understanding and writing words
- Making decisions
The Alzheimer’s Association indicates about 6.9 million Americans aged 65 or older have Alzheimer’s dementia. That’s about 1 in 9 people over age 65. The National Institute on Aging states that approximately one-third of people older than 85 may develop some form of dementia.
As those figures show, dementia among the elderly is not very common, and it’s not considered an expected or normal part of aging. Many people live into their 90s and older without any signs of the condition.
Still, it can be challenging to identify what’s a “normal” amount of forgetting, disorientation and struggling to think clearly and what’s an early sign of dementia. One starting point is determining whether or not the difficulties are so pronounced that it becomes hard to complete regular daily activities.
Recognizing the early signs of dementia allows you or your loved ones to seek help right away and get the most benefit from the treatments available.
The Most Common Early Signs of Dementia
The early stages of dementia can look different for each person. Memory and cognitive changes are often the biggest signs, but there are other signs to be aware of. If you notice a few of these signs in yourself or a loved one, you may want to discuss the possibility of dementia with your doctor.
Cognitive Changes
Memory Loss: This is often the first noticeable symptom of dementia. You might notice the following scenarios happening more often:
- Your mom can’t find her car in the parking lot and might even forget that she drove there.
- Your dad goes into the kitchen for a drink but doesn’t remember why he came in there when he arrives.
- Your husband forgets his long-standing Friday golf game and gets agitated when you remind him what day it is.
- Your friend starts making cookies but stops halfway through and seems confused when she sees that the baking ingredients are on the counter.
Language Difficulties (Aphasia): We may all struggle with finding the right words at times, but in the early stages of dementia, this becomes more disruptive. A person may:
- Struggle to explain something, such as how to give directions to their home
- Be unable to recall the right word and use made-up words as replacements, calling the TV a “talking box,” for example
- Be unable to follow or continue a conversation, stop in the middle of a sentence or become confused as a conversation progresses
Poor or Unsafe Decisions: The cognitive decline associated with dementia affects our ability to make good decisions. You might notice that your loved one is putting themselves in dangerous situations such as:
- Not looking before stepping onto a busy street
- Giving money or banking information to strangers over the phone or in person
- Not dressing appropriately for the weather. For example, wearing a heavy coat on a hot summer day and not removing the coat even when they start to sweat
Behavioral Changes
Personality Changes: As dementia develops, there can be subtle or obvious changes in personality. For example:
- Someone who was previously calm and collected may become fearful and anxious in new situations.
- Someone with a historically gentle and easy going demeanor may have angry, panicked or paranoid outbursts. For example, accusing loved ones of trying to harm or steal from them.
- A once lively and outgoing loved one might become withdrawn and appear emotionally flat.
Social Withdrawal: Withdrawal from social settings is a common sign of early dementia. A person may not enjoy going out or feel unable to participate in groups or activities as they did before. You may see signs such as:
- No longer attending social, religious or family gatherings
- Giving up a previously enjoyed hobby
- Not having a good time, becoming agitated in a group and leaving events early
Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks: Family members and friends will often notice that daily activities are either not being completed or are causing frustration for a person with early dementia. You might see:
- Large stacks of unpaid bills
- Wet laundry sitting in the washer for days until musty
- Perishable food from the grocery store sitting on the counter
- Trash piling up
- Failure to run errands or keep appointments
Risk Factors That May Increase Your Risk of Dementia
The National Institute on Aging reports that scientists are unable to conclusively state what causes most forms of dementia. Symptoms appear as damage occurs in the brain cells, limiting their communication abilities. It is hypothesized that a combination of four factors may increase or decrease the risk of developing dementia as you age. These include:
Age
Dementia most often occurs in people older than 65. Age is not a risk factor you have any control over. However, it is important to note that dementia is not a normal part of aging and does not occur for everyone as they age. There are also cases of early onset dementia that may occur before age 65.
Family History
The Alzheimer’s Association states that family history alone does not determine your risk for Alzheimer’s. But if you have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s, you are more likely to develop dementia. If you have more than one first-degree relative with Alzheimer’s, this also increases your risk.
Certain Medical Conditions
The National Institute on Aging reports that certain health conditions appear to affect brain health and contribute to dementia:
- Vascular diseases and conditions that involve the heart and blood flow, such as heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure
- Metabolic diseases and conditions that involve the process of changing food into energy, such as diabetes or obesity
An overall healthy body may improve brain health, according to the U.S. Department of Health.
Lifestyle Factors
Unlike age and genetics, daily choices are among the risk factors you can control. These include how much and how well you sleep, whether or not you smoke, how much alcohol you drink, how much you socialize and how often you engage in mentally stimulating activities.
Precautions that May Reduce Your Risk of Dementia
Although it is not certain what can prevent dementia, the following are recommendations from the National Institute on Aging for reducing the risk of developing dementia:
- Control high blood pressure with medication, exercise and not smoking.
- Manage blood sugar levels by making healthy food choices and regularly checking your glucose levels.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Exercise regularly. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of activity spread throughout each week, such as about 20 minutes seven days a week or 30 minutes five days a week.
- Quit smoking or vaping.
- Eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and seafood.
- Limit your intake of processed foods, saturated fats and added sugars.
- Engage in challenging and enjoyable activities such as reading, socializing and staying connected with others.
- Protect your ears from hearing damage and get your hearing checked.
- Try to sleep seven to eight hours a night.
- Protect your head from injuries by fall-proofing your house and wearing a seatbelt or helmet when recommended.
- Drink less alcohol. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink for women.
Although committing to these steps cannot guarantee protection against dementia, they can help keep you in good health as you age.
What to Know About Dementia Diagnosis and Treatment
Because dementia is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases, there is no single test to diagnose dementia. A doctor will typically diagnose dementia after:
- A thorough examination of your medical history, including overall health, medication use, diet and past medical conditions
- Assessing the severity of your difficulties with daily activities and changes in behavior and personality
- Completing tests to evaluate memory, problem solving, attention, math and language abilities
- A physical exam that may include a brain scan
- Laboratory tests, including bloodwork and urine samples
- Ruling out any other causes for the symptoms
Once dementia is determined, it’s important to discuss treatment options. Treatment may include:
- Medications to slow the progression of dementia
- Occupational, mental and physical therapies
- Lifestyle changes to help manage the symptoms
How to Support a Loved One in the Early Stages of Dementia
Getting a dementia diagnosis can be physically, emotionally and even financially challenging. This applies to anyone with dementia and the people who love them. As the disease progresses, your relationship with your loved ones will change. Some of the key tips to keep in mind in the early stages of dementia are:
Try Not to Take Things Personally: Remember that dementia is a disease that changes how your loved one is able to think, communicate, feel and behave. Behavioral changes are not intentional or a personal attack against you, and should be treated with empathy, compassion, and respect.
Adjust Your Communication: How you communicate with your loved ones will change as their dementia progresses. Keep these tips in mind for more effective communication:
- Make eye contact and speak directly to your loved one.
- Actively listen and respond to what they say, even if it doesn’t make sense to you.
- Know that communication may take longer than it used to; be patient.
- When misunderstandings arise, try using different words or redirect the conversation to avoid agitation.
- Try not to get irritated or frustrated if your loved one can’t recall something or someone.
Educate Yourself: Preparation can help you cope better with the potential changes you may face. Do research and talk to your doctor about programs in your area that teach families about the stages of dementia and ways to cope with difficult behaviors that may come up.
Practice Self Care: As dementia progresses, the day-to-day demands can take a toll on caregivers and loved ones. To be an effective caregiver, it’s important to care for yourself as well. Find ways to support your physical, mental and emotional well-being with activities like stretching, breathing, taking a walk or spending time with friends and family.
Connect with Support Groups: You may find it helpful in the early stages of dementia to get connected with an in-person or online dementia support group. These groups allow loved ones of people with dementia to share experiences, offer tips and provide connections for respite care.
Get Screened at the First Signs of Dementia
The early stages of dementia can be confusing for you and your loved ones. The connection between cognitive, behavioral and physical changes and dementia are not always obvious. Seeking professional help early sets you up to receive the appropriate treatment to potentially slow the progression of the disease. It also helps connect you and your loved ones with a support network.
If you’re noticing any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, make an appointment with your health care provider to discuss the possibility of dementia and what you can do to continue to live your best life.
Get the Resources You Need With BrightStar Care®
BrightStar Care® is here to support your caregiving efforts for loved ones who have or are showing early signs of dementia. Whether you're looking for in-home care services or assisted living for your loved one or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online or call 866-618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care® offers A Higher Standard®.