Dementia is a cognitive disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is irreversible, progressive, and gradually worsens until it impairs daily activities. The main types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Early signs of dementia may be subtle and not always easy to detect, but they typically affect personality and mood. Here are the 5 early signs of dementia:
1. Speech and communication issues
Early speech or communication problems may be an early symptom of dementia. It is common for people with dementia to stop speaking, use short sentences, or repeat the same thing repeatedly. Sometimes they forget words and struggle to find the right word. Sometimes their speech is slurred. This affects dementia patients’ ability to tell long rambling stories or share meaningful conversations. Staring into space a lot, muttering to themselves, or not responding to a question may also be early signs of dementia.
2. Behavioral changes
Starting to watch the same show over and over, lose interest in activities they used to enjoy or are no longer able to get along with others in the family, have difficulty paying attention to what’s going on around them, and have trouble keeping track of time, maybe early signs of dementia. This is because individuals with dementia find it difficult to finish tasks they begin or make careless mistakes. They may forget how to drive, read, or go shopping without a list.
3. Memory loss
Early memory loss is a common hallmark of dementia. This can happen in several forms, including forgetting the names of people and places, not being able to name objects they used to know well, and losing the ability to recall important recent events or events that have taken place months or years ago. Sometimes they may have trouble remembering facts or information or the order of things. Their memory of recent events may be worse than their long-term memory. Some people with early signs of dementia can lose their sense of direction and become easily disoriented. They may become forgetful about routine tasks such as paying bills and taking medications on time. This may lead to behavioral problems such as extreme clutter in their surroundings and poor hygiene habits.
4. Problem solving difficulties
Difficulty with problem solving is another early sign of dementia. As the brain ages, pinealocytes (cells that make melatonin) decrease in number, and melatonin levels decrease; this may cause a decline in visual and spatial perception and an impairment in decision-making skills. People with dementia also have poor judgment and are more likely to do things like driving when they are no longer able to make financial choices that aren’t in their best interests.
5. Increased confusion about time and place
People with dementia may become confused about time and place, which can lead to misplacing things, not knowing where they have been, and missing appointments. This is because they have lost the ability to recognize objects or faces they are familiar with. They often have trouble staying on schedule and finding their way around the house.
Knowing the early signs of dementia is important because it’s easier to manage the condition when it is diagnosed early on. The earlier you get treatment, the better your chances of controlling symptoms, improving thinking, and finding ways to cope with any changes in your life.
