5 Signs of Dementia

The Top 5 Signs of Dementia

Today, elderly patients are often diagnosed with dementia. According to the World Health Organization, dementia impacts approximately 50 million people globally. The Centers for Disease Control released a study in September regarding the impact of this illness on more than 5 million American patients. This number is expected to more than double by 2060. This means there will be a large population of families witnessing their loved one lose all sense of who they are.

Dementia is actually a category for several degenerative illnesses that affect the brain. Most commonly, the elderly suffering from dementia are mistakenly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer’s is just one type of dementia. Others include Vascular Dementia also is called Multi-infarct Dementia which is brain damage caused by multiple strokes more frequent for those who suffer from obesity and or diabetes. Lewy Body Dementia is an abnormal buildup of proteins. Those at high risk for this disease are more or fewer men over the age of sixty. Frontotemporal Dementia is dealing more with brain activity and is caused by shrinkage in the frontal lobes of the brain as well as particular substances accumulated in the brain. Lastly, Dementia caused by other illnesses like Parkinson’s Disease which is caused by a disorder in the central nervous system which affects all movement. Although Dementia can seem frightening, educating yourself on common symptoms can possibly save lives.

Here are the most easily identifiable symptoms of dementia:

1. Short Term Memory Loss. Dementia goes beyond just a simple case of forgetfulness. You or your loved one may be unable to remember the subject of a conversation or what you did yesterday but can recall an event that happened twenty-years ago with perfect clarity. These memory lapses increase as the illness progresses, resulting in being unable to find your way home or to work. Routine tasks become question marks.

2. Moodiness. Patients with Dementia often experience drastic mood swings. It is not surprising to find yourself being incredibly happy one minute, then snapping at everyone the next. A simple thing like remembering a name or the location of a TV remote can send your or your loved one into a spiral. This often results in depression and/or anxiety. The patient may not even realize their shifting moods. It is not unusual to have a dementia patient become combative about the situation out of fear or frustration over this symptom.

3. Aphasia. The loss of the ability to understand or express speech is a key symptom of Dementia. You or your loved one may have trouble pronouncing or forming words to hold a conversation. Eventually, patients begin to isolate themselves. Elderly patients in particular can be afraid of being seen as an embarrassment and may cease all direct communication.

4. An Inability to Perform Simple Tasks. Going to the bathroom, keeping track of medication, or simply taking a shower can become a monumental task. Everyday tasks suddenly become too complicated to complete or hard to recall once they’ve been done. This will ultimately lead to instances of repeating the same task over and over within a 24 hour period. Repetition of this type is a strong indication of Dementia.

5. Loss of Interest in Living. One of the most devastating signs of Dementia is a total loss of interest in life. Of all the symptoms, this one is the hardest on the patient’s family. Trying to remember how to be a part of society becomes a full-time job for a patient with Dementia. You may notice your loved one has declined invitations to important events, holiday gatherings, and family traditions. A patient can dissociate themselves from everyone by refusing to leave home or avoiding any change in their daily routine. If you or your loved one is experiencing this, you may need to consider counseling from a mental health professional to prevent the onset of severe depression and anxiety. This could be very dangerous if not treated in a timely manner.

There are just a few of the most common signs of Dementia. Spotting them early can make a profound difference in a patient’s quality of life. If you or a loved one have experienced any of these five symptoms, we urge you to reach out to a doctor or care provider in your area for more information.