Dementia, also known as Alzheimer’s disease, primarily affects individuals aged 60 and above. It is characterized by the degeneration and death of brain cells, leading to a significant decline in cognitive function. This progressive condition gradually impairs various cognitive abilities, including memory, language skills, visual-spatial judgment, executive function, calculation, and decision-making.

9 Early Signs of Dementia

In the early stages of dementia, individuals may exhibit symptoms such as memory decline and impaired judgment. However, most people mistakenly attribute these changes to the normal aging process, missing the window for early intervention.

Early diagnosis of dementia is vital as it allows for timely treatment and helps slow down the progression of brain degeneration. In the following discussion, we will explore the symptoms of dementia and differentiate them from the effects of normal aging.

1. Impaired short-term memory

Occasionally forgetting details is a typical aspect of aging, but typically, a gentle reminder can trigger recollection. However, seniors experiencing dementia may struggle to remember recent events completely, as if they never occurred, making retrieval of such memories challenging.

2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks

Occasionally, older individuals may overlook a step or two while engaging in routine tasks, such as cooking and forgetting to add salt. However, seniors with dementia may struggle to handle the entire cooking process, making mistakes, omitting steps, or being unable to follow familiar procedures.

3. Impaired language expression

Occasional struggles to recall specific words are a normal part of aging. However, if individuals begin experiencing difficulties in describing or understanding abstract terms and gradually have trouble remembering even simple words, their ability to communicate with others will be significantly affected.

4. Disorganized placement of items

In general, placing objects within reach only requires a brief moment of recollection. However, seniors with dementia may exhibit illogical and haphazard placement of items, such as placing vegetables that should be stored in the refrigerator inside a wardrobe with doors. This behavior further contributes to their difficulty in remembering the location of objects, leading them to mistakenly believe that their belongings have been stolen by family members.

5. Unusual emotional or behavioral changes

Under normal circumstances, negative emotions can be appropriately expressed in suitable situations. However, seniors with dementia may experience significant mood swings and an increased propensity for anger outbursts. Some individuals with dementia may exhibit a pronounced lack of security, becoming suspicious and frequently suspecting others of stealing their belongings or plotting against them. Additionally, their diminishing ability to articulate may result in reduced speech and a distant demeanor towards others.

6. Confusion with people, time, and place

Getting lost is a prominent symptom of cognitive impairment and is often accompanied by a sense of confusion regarding time and people. Common scenarios include being unable to find the way back home even in familiar markets or parks or mistaking current events for incidents that happened a long time ago.

7. Impaired judgment

Individuals with cognitive impairment are unable to make timely and accurate judgments. For instance, in the event of a fire, they may feel panicked amidst the chaotic crowd and noise but fail to assess the need for their own escape. In contrast, under normal circumstances, older individuals may experience anxiety but can still make the judgment to evacuate after a brief moment of consideration.

8. Difficulty with numbers

Seniors with dementia often struggle to comprehend basic mathematical concepts, such as managing bank accounts or performing simple calculations during daily activities like grocery shopping.

9. Apathy

Seniors with demeanor often exhibit a lack of enthusiasm even towards activities they used to enjoy in the past.

In general, distinguishing between normal age-related memory decline and dementia can be challenging. Therefore, if there are concerns, it is advisable to consult a physician for cognitive function testing to ensure a proper evaluation.

Qualigenics offers specialized geriatric physicians who excel in medical assessments and diagnoses of conditions such as dementia and sleep apnea. We also provide home visit services based on individual needs. Our geriatric specialists are dedicated to meeting the unique needs of older adults, offering comprehensive medical care, nutritional guidance, and rehabilitation therapies to assist with muscle strengthening, pain management, stroke recovery, and more.

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