21 Signs Of Dementia and Alzheimer's To Be Aware Of

Dementia and Alzheimer's are two of the most common neurodegenerative diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. These diseases can cause significant changes in memory, behavior, and cognitive abilities, which can be challenging to manage and diagnose. In this article, we will discuss 21 signs of dementia or Alzheimer's that you need to know.

1. Memory Loss: One of the most common signs of dementia or Alzheimer's is memory loss. It can include forgetting important dates, events, or names of people.

2. Difficulty in Completing Familiar Tasks: People with dementia or Alzheimer's may have difficulty completing tasks that they have done before, such as preparing meals, paying bills, or dressing themselves.

3. Problems with Language: Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's may have difficulty finding the right words to express themselves or understanding what others are saying.

4. Disorientation: People with dementia or Alzheimer's may become disoriented and confused about time, place, and people.

5. Poor Judgment: Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's may have difficulty making decisions, such as what clothes to wear, what to eat, and when to seek medical attention.

6. Mood Swings: People with dementia or Alzheimer's may experience sudden mood changes, such as becoming anxious, depressed, or irritable.

7. Loss of Initiative: Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's may become passive and lose interest in activities or hobbies that they once enjoyed.

8. Problems with Abstract Thinking: People with dementia or Alzheimer's may have difficulty understanding abstract concepts, such as time and money.

9. Misplacing Things: Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's may misplace items or put them in unusual places.

10. Changes in Personality: People with dementia or Alzheimer's may experience changes in personality, such as becoming suspicious, fearful, or paranoid.

11. Difficulty in Navigating Familiar Places: Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's may have trouble finding their way in familiar places, such as their own home.

12. Poor Hygiene: People with dementia or Alzheimer's may neglect personal hygiene, such as bathing and brushing their teeth.

13. Repetitive Behavior: Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's may repeat the same questions or actions over and over again.

14. Social Withdrawal: People with dementia or Alzheimer's may become socially withdrawn and avoid social interactions.

15. Inability to Recognize Familiar Faces: Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's may have difficulty recognizing familiar faces, including family members and friends.

16. Changes in Sleep Patterns: People with dementia or Alzheimer's may experience changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping during the day and staying awake at night.

17. Difficulty in Planning and Organizing: Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's may have difficulty planning and organizing tasks or events.

18. Loss of Spatial Awareness: People with dementia or Alzheimer's may have difficulty judging distances or spatial relationships.

19. Inability to Follow Simple Instructions: Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's may have difficulty following simple instructions, such as how to use a telephone or microwave.

20. Hallucinations and Delusions: People with dementia or Alzheimer's may experience hallucinations or delusions, such as seeing or hearing things that are not there.

21. Loss of Appetite: Individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's may lose their appetite and experience weight loss.

Early Symptoms Of Dementia

Early symptoms of dementia can be difficult to spot, as they are often subtle and easily overlooked.

These symptoms can include mild cognitive impairment, such as forgetting recent events or conversations, misplacing items more frequently, or having trouble remembering appointments. Other early signs may include difficulty finding the right words in conversation or trouble making decisions.

These symptoms may not necessarily indicate the onset of dementia and could be caused by other factors such as stress or depression. However, if you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

10 Warning Signs Of Dementia

Here are 10 additional warning signs of dementia to be aware of:

1. Difficulty with problem-solving: Individuals with dementia may have trouble with numbers or following a plan, such as when cooking a meal or paying bills.

2. Lack of interest in activities: People with dementia may lose interest in hobbies, social activities, or other previously enjoyed pastimes.

3. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: Individuals with dementia may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast.

4. Confusion about time and place: People with dementia may become disoriented about what day it is, where they are, or how they got there.

5. Poor judgment and decision-making: Individuals with dementia may make poor choices when dealing with money, falling for scams or forgetting to pay bills.

6. Misplacing things: People with dementia may put things away in unusual places and then forget where they put them.

7. Changes in mood and behavior: Individuals with dementia may experience sudden mood swings for no apparent reason, becoming upset or angry more easily than usual.

8. Withdrawal from work or social activities: People with dementia may avoid social situations because of the changes they're experiencing.

9. Difficulty communicating: Individuals with dementia may struggle to find the right words to express themselves in conversation

10. Changes in personality: People with dementia might experience significant changes in their personalities over time, becoming more irritable or suspicious than before.

Experiencing one or two of these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean someone has developed dementia; however, if you notice several symptoms together over time, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment plan.

Signs Of Alzheimer's Disease By Age

The signs of Alzheimer's disease may vary depending on the age of the individual affected. For example, individuals under 65 years old with early-onset Alzheimer's disease may experience difficulty with language, decision-making, and vision problems.

On the other hand, those over 65 years old may show more classic symptoms such as memory loss or disorientation. It is crucial to recognize these differences in symptoms based on age and consult a medical professional if any concerns arise.

Conditions with Symptoms Similar to Dementia

There are several conditions that can have symptoms similar to dementia, which is why it's important to get a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional. Some of these conditions include depression, delirium, and certain vitamin deficiencies.

Depression can cause forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating, while delirium can cause sudden confusion and changes in behavior.

Vitamin deficiencies such as B12 deficiency can also lead to cognitive decline and memory problems. It's essential to rule out these conditions before assuming someone has developed dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Summary

In conclusion, dementia and Alzheimer's can be challenging to diagnose, but recognizing the signs and symptoms early on can help with early intervention and treatment.

If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these signs, it's essential to speak with a medical professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.