It can be difficult to tell if a loved one is experiencing the early signs of dementia. After all, memory loss and cognitive decline are natural parts of the ageing process.
But sometimes, these changes can be indicative of a more serious problem. That’s why it’s important to know what to look for to provide the best care for your elderly loved one.
Dementia is a general term that is used to describe a group of symptoms that are caused by damage to the brain. It affects a person’s ability to think, remember, and communicate.
The most common early signs of dementia include memory loss, linguistic confusion, changes in mood and temperament, and impaired abstract thinking. If you are a caregiver of an older adult, it is important to be aware of these signs and symptoms so that you can seek help if necessary.
Memory loss is a known symptom of dementia. It can begin with forgetfulness about recent events but eventually leads to memory loss about past events as well.
People with dementia may struggle to remember the names of family members or friends or the location of their homes. They may also have difficulty remembering things they used to be able to do easily, like how to use the telephone or drive a car.
Sometimes, people with dementia may not even recognize their family members anymore. This can be heartbreaking for caregivers and loved ones to witness.
One of the early warning signs is linguistic confusion. This can manifest in several ways, such as needing help finding the right word, using made-up words, or using the wrong word altogether.
If you notice your loved one starting to have trouble with language, it’s important to keep an eye on other potential symptoms.
One of the most difficult aspects of caring for a loved one with dementia is dealing with changes in their mood and temperament. As the disease progresses, your loved one may become more withdrawn, irritable, or aggressive.
It’s important to understand what is causing these mood changes. Sometimes, they may be due to physical pain or discomfort. Other times, they may be a reaction to changes in their environment, such as increased noise or activity level. And sometimes, they may be a result of dementia itself.
If your loved one is having trouble understanding concepts like time, place, and number, it may indicate that they are starting to experience cognitive decline.
Try asking your loved one to do simple math problems or to tell you what day of the week it is. They should talk with their doctor if they don’t grasp these concepts.
Dementia can be difficult to identify in the early stages. Still, caregivers can look for certain changes in their elderly loved ones to get a better idea of whether they might be suffering from the condition. Early diagnosis is key to getting the best possible treatment for dementia and helping seniors maintain their quality of life for as long as possible.
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