Easter is right around the corner! I hope everyone will have a nice Sunday with their families and enjoy a nice Easter Dinner. If you're visiting elderly family, keep an eye on any changes no matter how subtle. Dementia is not part of normal aging and is becoming more and more common as the years go on. Dementia can be very subtle at first, and knowing what to key in on is very important in identifying whether or not your loved one has it, that way you can look for the help your family needs!
Memory Loss
Obviously one of the biggest indicators of dementia is memory loss. However, don't be worried if it's mall details here and there, everyone gets a little forgetful as we get older. If you are noticing major memories being forgotten or many minor memories being forgotten.
Difficulty Performing Tasks
Dementia not only affects your memory, but affects how your brain works in general, including motor functions and reasoning. You may notice someone developing dementia if they lose the ability to perform normal tasks they could do with ease. It's especially concerning if its a long time hobby or daily routine task that they cannot do anymore.
Problems with Language
People with dementia have difficulties with basic language, from both spelling and speaking. Common issues range from writing the wrong letters, speaking the wrong words, or even forgetting the terms entirely.
Disorientation to Time or Place
As dementia progresses, the person may forget what day it is, or thing they're in another year entirely! This can be a very confusing time for the individual because their own home could be seen as a stranger's home because dementia is preventing them from remembering where or when they are.
Poor Judgement
Dementia impacts our reasoning drastically, so someone affected may do things like not dress appropriately, or might say things one wouldn't normally say in certain situations.
Misplacing Things
We have all left our keys in the wrong spot, left our keys in the car, misplaced the TV remote, but people with dementia can misplace things in troubling locations. Like storing raw meats in a clothes dresser, or putting the iron in the fridge. It may be more subtle than that, so make note of all the misplaced things and how frequently these events happen.
Changes in Mood
While we all experience mood swings from time to time, Dementia can make mood swings drastic and rapid. Something slightly distressing could make them incredibly irate, but as soon as it's resolved, they would be fine.
Loss of Initiative
We can all get depressed or lose motivation some times, and it'll eventually come to pass. Dementia can make this depression worse and last much longer. You may see your loved one sleep more and more, doing less each day, becoming even more passive.
Pay special attention to your loved one's behaviors. If you notice one or more of these changes please seek out a neuro-specialist and see if its normal ageing or the early stages of dementia.
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