Dementia results in a serious decline in thinking skills and physical abilities. Yet the first symptoms of dementia can go undetected.
Telling the difference between normal aging and the beginning stages of dementia may be difficult. Symptoms are usually subtle at first, and your loved one could be masking their symptoms.
Further complicating the matter, dementia is a term used to describe many conditions that affect brain health, and each has unique symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for up to 80% of cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other forms of dementia include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and others.
If you suspect a senior is experiencing dementia symptoms, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. Treatment during the earlier stages of dementia may help improve a senior’s health and potentially delay further cognitive decline.
What are 10 early signs of dementia?
Dementia affects people differently. Likewise, the beginning symptoms of dementia may vary from person to person. But there are common early warning signs to watch for. Looking for patterns of these behaviors may help you identify signs your parent may have dementia.
Your loved one should see a doctor if you notice any of the following 10 signs of dementia, according to the CDC. The doctor may run tests to determine what is causing your family member’s symptoms.
1. Memory loss
A key sign of dementia is memory loss. If your loved one is repeating themselves or increasingly in need of aids such as sticky notes to help remember things, it could be an early symptom of dementia. Repeatedly forgetting the names of familiar friends and family may also be a sign of dementia.
Memory loss from dementia isn’t a normal part of aging. Occasional forgetfulness is common as we grow older. However, forgetting entire events due to short-term memory loss is cause for concern.
For instance, leaving cupboard doors open isn’t necessarily a sign of dementia, especially if Mom remembers grabbing a bowl for cereal. But if she doesn’t recall eating breakfast, it may be a sign of short-term memory loss.
2. Difficulty problem solving
If your family member is having trouble problem solving or planning ahead, it could mean their executive functioning abilities are deteriorating. This may be another sign of dementia.
You might notice your loved one struggling to follow recipes they’ve enjoyed cooking for years. Or, they could have difficulty keeping up with bill payments.
3. Trouble with familiar tasks
Difficulty completing familiar tasks can be an early sign of dementia. This could include challenges with household chores, at work, or during leisure activities.
Watch for your family member struggling to use their cell phone, drive around town, or go shopping. It’s normal to downplay these changes as normal aging, but trust your gut if you notice unusual behavior.
4. Confusion with time or place
If your loved one has trouble with the time or place of events, it could be an early symptom of dementia. Forgetting the date, month, time of year, or important events may be a red flag.
Take note of when you notice a family member is unable to keep track of time. If dad briefly forgets the day of the week, it’s probably nothing to worry about. But if he doesn’t know the month or forgets family is coming over for dinner, it may be a cause for concern.
5. Challenges with visual images and balance
Dementia not only affects cognitive abilities — it affects people physically, too. Early physical signs of dementia include difficulty with balance or judging distances, sleeping issues, forgetting to eat, and wandering. Spilling or dropping items often may be another sign they’re experiencing the physical effects of dementia.
Remember that your loved one might be covering up symptoms of dementia because they’re embarrassed or worried about the changes. So look for signs such as bruising from a fall or a broken drinking glass from the day before.
6. Problems with speech and writing
Dementia affects how a person speaks and understands language, making it difficult for them to find the right words. They may also have trouble following conversations. Similarly, people with dementia struggle to spell or write sentences.
Pay attention to whether there’s a decline in writing ability. Perhaps they’re struggling to write a message in a birthday card or understand a story told by their grandchild.
7. Misplacing items
Everyone loses things from time to time, so how do you tell if could be due to dementia? After a person with dementia loses something, they may be unable to retrace their steps to find it. Or, they might put items in unusual places, such as placing kitchen utensils in bedroom dressers.
8. Poor judgment
Displaying decreased or poor judgment may be a sign of dementia. Your loved one may begin to mismanage finances, neglect their hygiene, fall victim to repeated scams, or improperly care for a pet.
For example, if your parent was normally well-groomed but now refuses to take a shower, this is a noteworthy concern. Also, be on the lookout for compulsive purchases or uncontrolled spending as these may be signs of cognitive decline.
9. Withdrawal from activities
Dementia can make it difficult for your relative to participate in activities they once enjoyed. As a result, they might avoid these situations to keep from drawing attention to memory lapses. A loved one who’s aware of their limitations might withdraw from social outings and favorite pastimes.
Did your parent start skipping church or leave a quilting project unfinished? These could be signs they’re struggling in these situations.
10. Mood and personality changes
Sudden changes in personality and mood swings are possible signs of dementia. Your family member could become fearful, paranoid, suspicious, depressed, or anxious.
Increased anger could also be a warning sign of dementia. If someone with dementia gets frustrated or overwhelmed, they could react with aggression. A normally calm, peaceful person who has dementia might:
- Yell or scream
- Turn violent
- Swear at you
- Break items
Read: How to Handle Alzheimer’s Aggression
What are the warning signs of different dementia types?
The early warning signs of dementia may vary depending on the cause. You can better help them by narrowing down the type of dementia with the assistance of their doctor.
Common types of dementia and early warning signs of each include the following, according to the National Institute on Aging.
Alzheimer’s disease
As Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, its warning signs may be most familiar. But symptoms can go unnoticed for a while, even if you’re caring for someone with the disease.
Early signs of Alzheimer’s may include:
- Wandering and getting lost
- Repeating questions or sentences
- Difficulty recognizing friends and family
- Impulsive behavior
Lewy body dementia
With Lewy body dementia, you’ll notice some symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s. But there are a few distinctly different warning signs.
Symptoms of Lewy body dementia may include:
- Experiencing hallucinations or delusions
- Disorganized or illogical ideas
- Muscle rigidity
- Reduced facial expression
- Insomnia
Frontotemporal dementia
There are different types of frontotemporal dementia, and each has its own early warning signs. Frontotemporal dementia is often diagnosed at a younger age than other types of dementia.
Some common symptoms of frontotemporal dementia include:
- Compulsive eating
- Difficulty resisting touching or using objects
- Trouble speaking or remembering the meaning of words
- Not understanding facial expressions and personal relationships
Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia, which is the second most common form of dementia, is caused by a loss of blood flow in the brain, often from a stroke.
Symptoms of vascular dementia typically begin suddenly after a stroke and may include:
- Loss of thinking skills, speech, or balance
- Memory problems
- Wandering at night
- Depression
- Incontinence
What age does dementia start?
Typically, dementia symptoms occur after age 65, and the risk of dementia increases with age. Though rare, even people in their 30s can start showing signs of Alzheimer’s, according to the National Institute on Aging. The age when someone can get dementia also varies depending on the type they’re experiencing.
Here are the age ranges of when some common forms of dementia are typically diagnosed.
- Alzheimer’s disease: Mid-60s
- Frontotemporal dementia: Between 45 and 64
- Lewy body dementia: After age 50
- Vascular dementia: Over age 65
If someone gets Alzheimer’s before their mid-60s, it’s considered to be early-onset dementia. The signs of early-onset dementia are similar to typical symptoms of dementia.
What are the early signs of dementia in women and men?
Generally, the most common early signs of dementia in men and women are similar. They may include typical symptoms like short-term memory loss, lack of concentration, and difficulty with familiar tasks.
Some types of dementia affect women more often than men and vice versa. Among the common types of dementia, men appear to be more likely than women to have Lewy body dementia and vascular dementia, according to a research review in Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience.
However, women are twice as likely to get Alzheimer’s, the leading cause of dementia. The fact that women simply live longer than men is a main reason they’re more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. But researchers are also exploring other possible links between sex and gender and the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Meanwhile, men and women are at equal risk of developing frontotemporal dementia, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Lastly, men and women can have different symptoms depending on the type of dementia. For instance, women with Alzheimer’s tend to experience depression more, while men are more likely to experience agitation, according to a research review in Psychiatric Times.
What should I do if I think my parent has dementia?
If you think your parent or another relative has dementia, follow these steps to help improve their health and well-being.
- Trust your instincts. If you’re seeing unusual behaviors in your family member, jot down the symptoms, when they present, and how often they occur. Think about changes you’ve noticed over the past few years.
- Learn the signs of dementia. Educating yourself about various symptoms will help you know what to look for. It can also help rule out reversible conditions sometimes mistaken for dementia, such as delirium.
- Talk to your parent. It’s important to share concerns with them before more symptoms occur. Decide how you’ll begin the conversation. Recognize that it might not go as planned. Above all, be respectful and offer your support.
- Talk to a doctor. Reaching an earlier diagnosis will set your loved one on a path to better care and treatment options. Be honest and upfront with the doctor about the symptoms you’ve noticed.
Read: How to Talk to the Doctor About Your Elderly Parent or Spouse
What should I expect as dementia progresses?
Most forms of dementia are incurable and get worse over time. Although your loved one could be mostly independent for a while, they’ll eventually need assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and cooking. It’s also important to remember that their safety could become a concern.
If you anticipate their needs increasing, home care supports families while enabling seniors to continue living at home for as long as possible. Remaining in a familiar place can be especially helpful for people with dementia.
In later stages of dementia, living at home may no longer be an option. Memory care communities are a specialized type of senior living designed to meet the unique needs of someone experiencing memory loss or cognitive decline.
Sources:
Dementia (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557444/)
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s (https://www.cdc.gov/aging/healthybrain/ten-warning-signs.html)
What Are the Different Types of Dementia? (https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/types-of-dementia.pdf)
What Are the Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease? (https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-signs-alzheimers-disease)
Considering sex and gender in Alzheimer disease and other dementias (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5286729/)