Dementia Symptoms in Elderly: 7 Warning Signs

Alzheimer's disease is one disease that causes dementia, which is a collection of symptoms that result from brain damage. There are a variety of symptoms depending on where the damage is located in the brain. As a result, people with different types of dementia will experience their dementia symptoms differently.

Dementia sometimes appears before a diagnosis of the disease, but some early symptoms may appear. In most cases, these symptoms are mild, early signs of dementia in the elderly and worsen very slowly. The symptoms are not severe enough to qualify as dementia, which is commonly called mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

These first signs of dementia in the elderly might not be noticeable to you immediately, and your family and friends might not notice or take them seriously for some time. The symptoms may not worsen and stay the same for some time. Nonetheless, dementia is one of the risks associated with MCI. Aging does not cause dementia. If anyone you know is experiencing memory problems or other early symptoms of dementia in the elderly, talk to your doctor sooner rather than later.

Dementia Symptoms in Elderly

Repetition

Mild or moderate Alzheimer's symptoms include repeatedly asking the same questions or telling the same story about recent events.

Troubling behavior

You should be concerned if your family member lacks the judgment to handle money or if they neglect grooming and cleanliness.

Getting lost

Visual and spatial abilities may be impaired in people with dementia. This can manifest itself in problems such as getting lost in unfamiliar areas.

Problems with communication

Check to see if your loved one struggles to follow along with conversations, stops mid-thought abruptly, or has trouble coming up with words or names for objects.

It's unclear what time it is and where it is

Family members who can't remember where they are or how they got there should raise the alarm. Disorientation about time is another concern - for instance, forgetting what day of the week it is each week.

Personalities change

You should be concerned with those who tend to become anxious, confused, fearful, angry, or depressed and those who lose interest in activities and seem depressed should be concerned.

Everyday tasks can be difficult

Those with dementia may have difficulty keeping track of monthly bills or preparing recipes as they age. Furthermore, they may have difficulty concentrating on tasks, taking longer to complete them, or having difficulty completing them.

Why Do Some Elderly People Choose to Hide Their Symptoms?

Seniors try hiding dementia symptoms primarily because of fear. Fear plays a large role in preventing older adults from seeking medical attention. In the event of progressive memory loss, seniors fear losing their independence. You may also worry that your senior loved one's freedom to travel will be taken from them if they live alone and still drive. If that’s the case, you can consider getting AIDS, and other tools made for assisting seniors.

Some fear they will have to leave their own homes and have to leave their own comfort and privacy. Older people often conceal memory loss, not realizing that others are becoming more aware of it as time goes on. Older adults might think they can make excuses for their memory loss to convince others that they are fine.

FAQs

What is the average lifespan of a person with dementia?

Because dementia leads to the failure of the digestive system, the lungs, and the heart, dementia is considered a terminal illness. The average time for someone to live after being diagnosed with dementia is ten years.

As the brain's cells are damaged, dementia can cause forgetfulness, confusion, and communication problems. In addition to controlling memory and thought, the brain also controls the body. It is important not to focus on the figures and to do what you can to make the most of your remaining time.

When dementia strikes the elderly, how fast does it progress?

Depending on the type of dementia, dementia progresses at a different pace for each person. Among all forms of dementia, Alzheimer's disease is the most well-known and has the slowest progression. The rate of progression is affected by several factors, including age, genetic factors, diabetes, strokes, cardiopulmonary health, frequent infections, and physical fitness. One way to handle the early onset of this issue or even mental block depression is to give your brain a rest: mental health leave from work. The other option is to stay in peak health by taking up frequent standing desk exercises.

How is dementia diagnosed in the elderly?

Dementia is diagnosed when a person's cognitive function declines, including memory and attention problems, and when these problems impact their everyday lives. Adults who detect and address dementia early can benefit from multiple outcomes, including an easier time treating reversible causes of dementia and an easier time finding appropriate support.

How to take care of dementia elderly?

Establish Routine Communication

If your loved one has dementia, it may be difficult to maintain clear, consistent communication with them. The best time to take advantage of when your loved one is most communicative is early in your home care lifecycle. It may be at a specific time of day, before or after a meal, or even when they are doing something they enjoy. You can find good tools to help you improve communication on our Autonomous employee purchase program.

Listen more

When someone is being uncooperative with your discussion, it is generally a good idea to let them talk. Unless you stop talking and listen to them, you may not realize what is setting them off. It may be as simple as the environment or the time of day that makes your loved one feel confused and frustrated.

Being more patient

Your loved one with dementia may experience some confusion, fear, and anger. It is your responsibility to remain calm and patient when you become agitated. It's a common problem for home caregivers to let their emotions get the better of them.

Research information on dementia

You can deal with your loved one's different behaviors if you know the different dementia symptoms. Changing temperament and personality are part of dementia's stages, as is quality home care. Pay attention to how your loved one's personality changes as their dementia progresses to the later stages and respond empathetically. You can find easier ways to do this on equipment purchased through our employee purchase program.