Early Signs of Dementia: What Should You Do?

Dementia is a cognitive decline affecting memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior, causing interference with daily living. Early detection of dementia is crucial for effective intervention and support, as it requires recognition of warning signs and an appropriate response to manage the condition. 

This blog will provide information on early dementia symptoms and what to do if you or someone close to you is showing these signs.

Early Signs of Dementia

• Memory Loss: Dementia often begins with forgetting recently learned information, repeatedly asking for the same information, and relying more on memory aids or family members for tasks they used to handle independently.
• Changes in mood and personality: Common mood and personality changes, including confusion, suspicion, depression, fear, and anxiety, can lead to patients becoming easily irritated at home, at work, and in unfamiliar situations.
• Avoid Social Activities: Dementia patients are not involved in social interactions, have a loss of interest in hobbies, and lack motivation to attend social events or pursue their interests.
• Challenges in Solving Problems: Early stages of dementia may cause difficulties with planning tasks, such as following recipes and working with numbers and sequences.
• Communication Problems: People often struggle to find the right words, leading to interruptions, repetition, and vocabulary mistakes. They also struggle to name familiar objects and use the wrong words.
• Disorientation: Time-related disorientation can lead to forgetfulness, including dates, seasons, and location, especially in the elderly, even in familiar surroundings.
• Visual difficulties: Some people may have visual and spatial difficulties, leading to problems with balance or trouble reading, judging distance, and determining color or contrast, which can affect driving or navigating their surroundings.

What Should You Do If You Notice Dementia Signs?

If you or a loved one is showing the first signs of dementia, these steps will help in the diagnosis and ensure proper care and support.

• Consult a doctor: Early detection of dementia can improve management and future planning for affected individuals by consulting a doctor for symptoms and undergoing a comprehensive medical assessment.
• Create a Safe Home Environment: To prevent injuries, modify a patient’s home environment by removing hazards, installing hand grips, using floor sensor mats keeping items out of reach to prevent potential harm.
• Educate yourself and your family: Gain knowledge about dementia, its process, and available treatments to better understand and care for the person suffering from the condition.
• Promote a Healthy Lifestyle: The patient should be advised to maintain a balanced diet, regular mental exercise, and social engagement to slow down dementia and improve overall well-being.
• Use memory aids: calendars and reminders aid in daily activities, memory retention, promoting independence, and reducing frustration in daily life.
• Regular Monitoring: Regular follow-ups are essential for monitoring a person’s condition, adjusting their care plan, and maintaining open communication with healthcare providers to address concerns and report changes promptly.
• Get thorough medical examination: A thorough medical examination, including cognitive tests, neurological tests, and brain imaging, is expected to detect potential conditions like vitamin deficiency or thyroid issues resembling dementia symptoms.

Causes of Dementia

Dementia, a condition caused by brain damage or changes, requires a comprehensive understanding of the causes of dementia for effective diagnosis, management, and prevention. This is due to various conditions and diseases that involve damage to brain cells or interference with brain function, with detailed causes explained below.

• Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by abnormal amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangle accumulation, causing memory loss, confusion, language difficulties, and behavioral changes over the years.
• Parkinson’s Disease: Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder characterized by the death of dopamine-producing neurons, resulting in movement issues, cognitive impairment, and often progressive dementia.
• Frontotemporal Dementia: FTD dementia involves cell degeneration in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to rapid changes in personality, behavior, and linguistic capabilities.
• Vascular Dementia: This dementia occurs when blood flow to brain regions is blocked or restricted, causing brain cells to lack adequate oxygen and nutrients.
• Mixed Dementia: Mixed dementia is a condition that combines the symptoms of various dementias, primarily Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis and treatment significantly improve a patient’s life, despite the lack of a cure for dementia. Dementia patients and their families can better manage the disease by combining medications, lifestyle changes, therapies, supportive treatments, and planning ahead. If you or someone you know exhibits early signs of dementia, seek medical attention for treatment options and an appropriate care plan.