Dementia can be a heartbreaking condition for everyone involved, but one of the hardest parts in the early stages can often be getting a formal diagnosis.
In the earliest stages, warning signs can be extremely subtle and unnoticeable, making it all the more confusing for both the person experiencing dementia and those closest to them. Better Health Victoria states that while early warning signs can vary from patient to patient, there are typical things that people can look out for.
This can be particularly useful if you’ve got an elderly parent of close family member or friend that you’re concerned about. Typically, a person will have difficulty with their memory – particularly when it comes to recent events.
People also tend to be more confused and find it harder to concentrate, while changes in behaviour and personality can be noticed. A lot of people put these changes down to the ageing process and often avoid seeking professional help, while others avoid treatment because they fear the stigma that surrounds the cognitive condition.
A useful checklist of common symptoms associated with dementia has been set up by Better Health. As a general rule, if a person is showing several of the warning signs, it’s a good idea to seek advice from a health professional to get a formal diagnosis and work out the best steps for their health. It may be a case that there’s actually nothing serious wrong, while there is also a chance it could point to something more sinister.
While forgetting things from time to time is a normal part of life, people living with dementia usually forget things more regularly. It could be something as simple as forgetting to pick up the dry cleaning or an important event they had planned.
Another common sign is people finding it harder than normal to complete tasks. In some cases, people forget simple steps as part of a task and often become distracted. A classic example is someone preparing a dinner but forgetting to include a crucial part of the meal.
Dementia also makes decision making harder, with many living with the condition struggling to figure out simple tasks. Others can have trouble remembering where certain items have been placed and what they do. For example, they may locate a key, but have trouble understanding what exactly the key opens.
In other cases, people can become increasingly confused and disorientated in areas they should be familiar with. Some even find it difficult to speak properly, struggling to find the right words to use in a sentence. They can also find it harder to understand others.
It’s also common for people not misjudge distance, proving that it isn’t a cognitive issue that only impacts memory. Many people with dementia experience drastic changes in their mood for no reason at all. This can cause further confusion, while others can become depressed and exclude themselves from society. Other cases see people do the complete opposite and become carefree and outgoing.
While these are all things to look out for, only a health professional can formal diagnosis dementia and other cognitive health problems. If worried or concerned, speak to a GP with your loved one so they can assess a range of factors and organise further testing where possible.