The most common and noticeable early sign of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is memory loss. This goes beyond occasionally forgetting where you placed your keys or the name of an acquaintance. People with early-stage dementia might frequently forget recent events, appointments, or important dates. They might ask for the same information repeatedly or rely heavily on memory aids like notes or electronic reminders.
Senior care management services by the Faenzi team provide advocacy and tailored support to meet the needs as specified in the care plan.
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Working with Kathy Faenzi and her team provides a personal care manager who works closely with the care recipient, family, and other related providers to implement solutions developed to meet immediate care needs. Unless circumstances require a dramatic and immediate intervention, huge changes that usually disrupt everyone’s lives are not made. The approach is gentle; ideally, baby steps are taken so that everyone has time to adjust and trust the change process.
The following is an extensive list of ways to uncover if your loved one is experiencing memory issues:
Difficulty with Problem-Solving or Planning: Dementia can impact cognitive abilities that affect everyday tasks. For instance, someone might struggle with following a familiar recipe, managing monthly bills, or concentrating on a complex task that they used to handle with ease. The ability to plan and execute tasks efficiently declines, leading to confusion and frustration.
Challenges with Completing Familiar Tasks: People with dementia might find it difficult to complete routine tasks at home, work, or during leisure activities. They might have trouble driving to a familiar location, remembering the rules of a favorite game, or completing daily chores. This is often due to the deterioration of executive functions in the brain, which control task management and organization.
Confusion with Time or Place: Losing track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time is a common early sign. A person with dementia might forget where they are or how they got there. They could become disoriented about the day of the week or time of day, even in familiar settings. This can lead to getting lost, even in places they have known for years.
Trouble Understanding Visual and Spatial Relationships: Vision problems can be a sign of dementia, making it harder for someone to judge distances, read, or recognize familiar faces. They might have difficulty with balance or interpreting spatial relationships, which can lead to accidents or trouble driving. This isn’t just about vision changes but about how the brain processes visual information.
Problems with Speaking or Writing: Communication issues, such as difficulty finding the right words, following or joining a conversation, or writing coherently, are common. People might stop in the middle of a conversation, unable to continue or repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, often substituting incorrect words or using unusual terms to describe familiar objects.
Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps: It’s normal to misplace things occasionally, but a person with dementia might put items in unusual places, like leaving keys in the refrigerator. They may lose items and be unable to retrace their steps to find them, sometimes accusing others of stealing.
Decreased or Poor Judgment: Changes in judgment or decision-making can be an early sign of dementia. This might manifest as poor financial decisions, such as giving large amounts of money to telemarketers or making unwise purchases. There may also be a decline in personal grooming or hygiene, as the individual loses awareness of what’s appropriate.
Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities: A person with early dementia might start to withdraw from hobbies, social activities, or work projects they previously enjoyed. They may avoid social interaction because of the challenges they face in keeping up with conversations or following the rules of a game.
Changes in Mood and Personality: Mood swings, increased anxiety, or changes in personality are also common. Individuals may become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They might become easily upset at home, at work, or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
These signs vary in intensity and progression from person to person. Recognizing them early and consulting a healthcare professional can lead to better management and care for those affected.
References:
- Alzheimer’s Association. (2023). 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
- Mayo Clinic. (2023). Alzheimer’s Disease: Symptoms and Causes.
- National Institute on Aging. (2023). What Are the Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease?
- Kathy Faenzi’s 20 years’ experience in the field of aging.
Kathy C. Faenzi MA is a Clinical Gerontologist and Senior Care Consultant based in Northern, CA.