Warning Signs that Could Indicate Dementia

Dementia is not a single disease, but rather a collection of symptoms. These symptoms include decline in memory, thinking, and communication that impact daily living. Contrary to what some people believe, this is not a normal part of aging, and not all memory problems are the result of dementia. However, recognizing warning signs can help you to be more proactive in your senior’s health and seek necessary care. Here are some signs to be aware of:

Confused by the time and place. Those with dementia often have trouble recalling the day of the week, date, or time. They may not remember where they are or how they got there. In addition, they may not be aware of how much time has passed.

Trouble completing tasks. Problems with memory and thinking can make it more difficult to complete daily tasks. Usually the struggle appears first with more complex activities that require more planning or problem solving. It may take them much longer to do things or they may need multiple reminders or prompts. Following recipes or balancing their checkbook can become more difficult and they may make multiple errors.

Word finding difficulties. You may notice that your loved one has trouble coming up with familiar words for different items or does not use the correct word. Or they may lose their place in the middle of a conversation or repeat the same thing over again. Dementia can also make it more difficult to follow along in a conversation or story and recall what is happening.

Leaving things in unusual places. Have you found their glasses in the cabinet or the remote in the refrigerator? Trouble with memory can lead to misplacing items and having trouble retracing steps to find them. Your loved one may even accuse others of stealing if they are unable to find things.

Changing mood or personality. Dementia can affect judgment and behavior. The person may become more easily agitated or confused. They may withdraw from activities or act out of character. Confusion may lead them to become anxious or fearful of going out or engaging in different activities.

Short term memory problems. Memory loss often begins with trouble remembering things in the short term – what they ate for lunch or why they went to a certain place. They may have little trouble remembering things from years past, but difficulty recalling the past few days.

While not all memory, thinking, or communication problems are indicative of dementia, they are worth paying attention to. If you notice several signs or that your loved one seems to be struggling more than usual, it may be time to seek help. Early detection can help you to better support your loved one and take preventive or precautionary measures.

Learning and Identifying the Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

As your senior begins to age, you may notice some cognitive decline. While this may seem worrisome to you, in most cases this slight mental decline is a normal part of the aging process. For instance, your elderly loved one may blank on your friend’s daughter’s name. They may have trouble recalling the name of a restaurant you went to last week. However, dementia care professionals recommend becoming aware of signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other more substantial issues.

Signs of Alzheimer’s disease

Though Alzheimer’s shows itself differently in different individuals, there are a few key signs that you should be on the lookout for. These include:

• Struggles to remember how to use everyday household products, such as the toaster
• Misplaces items that are used on a daily basis and then finds them in a strange location
• Forgets entire conversations, not just details of the discussion
• Struggles to follow a recipe
• Sleeps far more than normal
• Withdraws from favorite activities, instead preferring to sit at home in front of the television
• Fails to remember how they got to a familiar place and doesn’t remember how to get home
• Severe mood swings
• Dresses inappropriately for the weather
• Has problems keeping up with personal hygiene. May constantly look as if they need a shower or need to brush their teeth

It is important to understand that other medical conditions may actually mimic the signs of Alzheimer’s disease. For this reason, should your elderly loved one begin to display some of these symptoms, it is time to consult with a medical professional to get a better idea of the real cause. Some of the diseases that may show symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s include:

• Head injuries
• Brain tumors
• Stroke
• Epilepsy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Hypoglycemia
• Malnutrition
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Meningitis
• Drug interactions or side effects from other medications
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Depression
• Chronic stress
• Chronic sleep deprivation

Your senior’s medical professional can take a closer look at their physical and mental performance, thus offering proper analysis about the root cause of their symptoms. 

The Importance of Home Care for Those With Dementia

Dealing with dementia can be tough on a family. It’s heartbreaking to watch an elderly loved one struggle to accomplish tasks that they once completed easily. Additionally, it can also put a serious strain on the caretaker, who is probably busy with work, children, and other commitments. When it comes to senior care, the professionals of Always Best Care Asheville-Hendersonville explain that hiring someone to assist your loved one is often the best way to ensure that they enjoy a high quality of life.

It’s simply not possible for you to attend to your elderly loved one’s needs on a daily basis, while also caring for your children, working, and maintaining a relationship with your spouse. For this reason, seeking assistance from an eldercare professional will become essential. Even if this person only stops by a few days each week, their help takes a serious burden off of family members, and ensures that the senior has everything they need to live well.

How home care can help

Despite their struggles with dementia, it’s likely that your elderly loved one will still crave their independence. To satisfy your senior without putting their health or safety at risk, home care is a must. Your elderly loved one gets to stay in their own space, but doesn’t have to worry about going grocery shopping, remembering to take their medication, or cleaning up the house. 

Studies show that a technique known as “graded assistance” can be highly beneficial for seniors with dementia. Graded assistance is essentially a way to help an elderly individual accomplish a task with the least amount of aid possible. Home care professionals rely on verbal prompts, physical guidance, and partial physical assistance in order to help the senior function without feeling as if they are helpless. If your senior is particularly resistant to the idea of home care or help in general, this approach may be ideal. 

Other effective care strategies for seniors with dementia

Music is also a powerful tool to soothe seniors who are facing dementia. It is common for elderly individuals with dementia to lash out and display aggressive behavior. Studies show that music can help to soothe these undesirable behaviors, while also helping your elderly loved one to relax. If your senior is particularly passionate about a type of music, play a few songs for them when they begin to become irritable or agitated.

While it’s never easy to watch a loved one deal with the effects of dementia, proper home care and an understanding of the condition allow you to do your part to keep your elderly loved one well cared for.