Dementia is a broad term that refers to a collection of symptoms that may affect someone’s ability to think, remember, process information, or communicate. According to the World Health Organization, more than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, with ten million new cases diagnosed each year. Although the underlying causes of dementia may be varied, there are some key warning signs to watch out for. Seven early warning signs of dementia are:
Subtle short-term memory changes
A troubled memory is one of the earliest signs of dementia. Certain changes to short-term memory may include:
- Forgetting where they placed items
- Forgetting what they had for breakfast that morning
- Struggling to remember why they entered a particular room
- Forgetting about a given task
Difficulty finding the right words
A person with dementia may have a hard time explaining something or difficulty finding the right words to communicate their thoughts. Having a conversation with someone with dementia may be challenging and may even take a long time as they struggle to find the right words.
Changes in mood
Mood changes are also common with dementia. Depression is a common challenge in the early stages of dementia. Someone with dementia may also feel more fearful or anxious than before and may get upset if their routine changes.
Apathy
Apathy, or listlessness, is a common sign of early dementia. This generally materializes as a loss of interest in hobbies or activities they previously enjoyed or not wanting to go out, meet family and friends, or have fun.
Difficulty completing tasks
Another possible early sign of dementia is a subtle shift in the ability to complete daily tasks. This may start with more complex tasks like balancing a checkbook, keeping track of bills, following a recipe, or playing a game with many rules. People with dementia may also struggle to learn to do new things or follow new routines.
Confusion
People in the early stages of dementia may be confused a lot. They may have trouble remembering faces, knowing what day of the month, or their current living space. Confusion may apply in several situations, such as misplacing car keys, forgetting what comes next in the day, or having difficulty remembering someone they recently met.
Poor judgment
Poor judgment is another result of the cognitive decline that sets in with dementia. For instance, a person with dementia may have trouble recognizing a dangerous situation, such as walking across a busy street without waiting until it’s safe. Poor decision-making may also manifest itself financially, like someone who was always careful with their money starts giving it away to people or causes they barely know.
Sometimes, those with dementia may need round-the-clock care, and it may not be possible to meet all their requirements at home. In such cases, looking for a long-term facility may help. Assisted living facilities bridge the gap between living at home and living independently. They provide housing for people who need help with daily tasks and may offer a combination of housing, meals, supportive services, and healthcare. However, not all assisted living facilities may be specially designed for people with dementia, so it is important to check beforehand.
Those who suspect the onset of dementia in their loved ones can consider getting a whole life insurance policy. Such policies can lock in protection and ease the financial burden. One can navigate between multiple options and select a policy that best suits one’s needs.
Furthermore, one can also consider assisted living facilities such as life plan communities (formerly called continuing care retirement communities). Such environments provide different levels of care depending on the individual’s needs. However, one must first set up timely appointments with a certified doctor to understand the patient’s requirements.