Dementia is a broad term used to describe a group of symptoms that can affect thinking, speaking, behavior, and memory in older adults. These symptoms generally involve issues with cognitive function and have the ability to severely interfere with one’s daily life. Changes towards this can be indicative of various memory diseases, like Alzheimer’s. Dementia in older adults can be difficult to diagnose, as slower brain function can just be part of aging. However, if there is an underlying issue, it is important to be aware and educated on the 10 early warning signs of Dementia in older adults.
1. Memory Loss – One of the first warning signs of dementia is not remembering things. Whether you or a loved one is having trouble remembering events, appointments, or what was just said, these minor things can be signs of early dementia. You may notice increased usage of reminders, like notes or alarms— signaling a noticed disruption to one’s daily life.
2. Confusion – Another early sign of dementia is confusion, especially when it comes to time and place. This would include things like losing track of dates, forgetting times, and having difficulty comprehending events that are happening in the future. You may notice your loved one repeating or clarifying the same event multiple times.
3. Trouble Speaking, Reading, or Writing – If you or a loved one have trouble speaking, reading, or writing — it could be considered an early warning sign of dementia. This includes not being able to think of words for basic objects, like a pen or a phone, or substituting words into a conversation that don’t quite fit.
4. Mood and Personality Changes – Mood and personality changes can be another indication of someone living with dementia. This could be getting overly upset in normal situations, being suspicious of others, or being abnormally fearful. Personalities can change in subtle ways over time, including lack of interest, but is typically out of character.
5. Struggling to Plan or Solve Problems – Other warning signs of dementia are when someone struggles to plan ahead or solve simple problems. This could be as simple as following familiar cooking recipes, getting dressed, or paying bills on time. They may have trouble completing tasks that have been familiar to them all their lives, such as playing a game.
6. Difficulty Completing Normal Tasks – Regular everyday tasks become increasingly difficult to complete. Tasks like cooking, driving, or shopping become a hassle and burdensome. You may notice frustration throughout the process.
7. Withdrawal from Normal Activities – Signs of dementia can include beginning to withdraw from activities and events they normally enjoy. You may notice your loved one stops caring about work or no longer wants part in social activities. They may fall out of a routine they never broke, such as going to church.
8. Issues with Judgment – Issues with judgment are another early indicator of dementia, this could be falling for scams or having trouble caring for a pet properly. You may notice they are not being able to manage money well or not paying attention to personal hygiene like they used to.
9. Problems with Perception and Balance – Signs of dementia can involve someone having trouble with their vision, perception, and hearing. Things like balancing, setting things down, and dropping items, becomes more frequent.
10. Disorientation to time and place – People living with dementia can become lost in familiar places. It may be on their own street, not knowing how they got there or how to get home. It could be getting lost in a familiar place or not remembering the purpose of going into a room. Things that are typically second nature become confusing.
At Celebrate Senior Living, we are committed to celebrating the moments, victories, and memories that will last a lifetime for our residents and their loved ones. An assisted living community has many benefits for individuals dealing with Dementia and memory loss diseases. Celebrate Senior Living facilities provide seniors their own space while maintaining a friendly community atmosphere of older adults. We are a Midwest-based foundation that serves Illinois and Indiana with a variety of medical, social, and personal care services in comfortable residential environments, including memory care, rehabilitation, and short term stay options.
Explore one of our three senior living and retirement communities and select the location that fits your individual health, behavioral, and social needs.
If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about the senior living housing options we can offer, contact Celebrate Senior Livingtoday!
