“Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.”
Alzheimer’s Association
Dementia itself is not a disease, but rather a group of symptoms that are caused by diseases such as Alzheimer's. “Diseases grouped under the general term ‘dementia’ are caused by abnormal brain changes. Dementia symptoms trigger a decline in thinking skills, also known as cognitive abilities, severe enough to impair daily life and independent function.”
In the initial stages of dementia there are many warning signs. If you start to notice a decline in your memory or are struggling to remember recently learned information, it is time to talk to your doctor. Oftentimes people assume that memory loss is a normal part of aging. Dementia used to incorrectly be categorized as ‘senility” or ‘senile dementia’ which was associated with memory loss because of aging, but this is not the case. Signs and causes of dementia can vary greatly but according to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of cases of dementia.”
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Early Warning Signs
Medical professionals across the globe agree that there are several key warning signs for the early stages of dementia. These include:
- Memory loss that hinders daily life and routines: Forgetting recently learned information, important dates or events, repeating questions or statements in a circular way or becoming dependent on memory devices to aid in daily function are all early signs of dementia. Unlike an aging adult who may forget something and remember it later, people with early onset dementia rarely remember the information later.
- Inability to plan or problem solve: If you notice that the recipe you’ve been cooking for years suddenly becomes a challenge to follow, or if your bills feel overwhelming to manage and work through, this may be an early sign of dementia. People who are suffering from memory loss in this way have difficult planning or problem solving and often struggle with numbers and directions.
- Trouble with spatial relationships: Because the brain is affected by dementia directly, some people suffering with this condition can lose parts of their vision or ability to see colors. This can affect balance or the ability to read and drive.
- Trouble speaking or writing: People in the early stages of dementia will “lose their words” and start renaming things that are commonly known objects with a description instead.
- Difficulty with familiar tasks: According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Sometimes people with dementia may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game.”
- Poor judgement: People who are suffering from dementia may stop standard hygiene practices or mismanage their finances. Sudden changes like this are common.
- Isolation: Because people with dementia struggle with daily conversation or remembering how to communicate, it is common for people suffering with this condition to withdraw from daily social activities or loved ones.
- Confusion with times and places: Memory loss can mean a person with dementia can end up in places without understanding how they got there or where they are.
- Sudden changes in mood or personality: Confusion is triggering and frustrating. As a result, people with dementia may become irritable, anxious or depressed. These sudden personality changes are an early warning sign.
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It may be difficult to deal with the realities of the early signs of dementia whether you or a loved one are suffering. But if this is the case, it is critical to speak to a medical professional who can do their best to mitigate the symptoms. Early detection really matters when it comes to dementia or Alzheimer’s.