How to Recognize the Signs of Dementia
By Ina Gilmore M.D | Submitted On August 22, 2016
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Expert Author Ina Gilmore M.D
Recognizing the signs of dementia can be challenging, even for trained physicians. Dementia is a group of signs and symptoms that has multiple causes. As in many diseases and conditions, the signs of dementia are unique to the individual. So the signs of dementia in one person may be different in …show more content…
What Are the Signs of Cognitive Change?
Two or more of the following signs significantly impaired are consistent with dementia.
The most common sign is memory loss. While occasionally forgetting names or appointments can be normal, forgetting regularly or increasing forgetfulness often is not. An example is forgetting the car keys, and then being able to retrace your steps to find them. That can be normal. Not being able to retrace steps or misplacing the item in an inappropriate place is often a sign of dementia. In the example of car keys, placing them in the freezer would be an example of more severe memory loss. Other examples of memory loss include getting lost in an area you are very familiar with, not being able to do daily tasks that were previously done, not remembering the rules of a favorite game or confusion about the day and time. Forgetting the day of the week, but being able to remember it later can be normal.
Another sign is problems with communications and language. Occasionally having difficulty remembering a word is quite different from not being able to follow a conversation by suddenly stopping talking. Repeating questions multiple times within a short period of time is another sign, as are new problems with …show more content…
Occasionally making a bad decision is different from poor judgment, such as spending frivolously after many years of frugal living. Protecting the person from scam artists can be an important part of dementia care.
The final cognitive function affected is visual perception. Some the ways this can manifest include: difficulty reading, difficulty judging distances, and difficulty determining a color or contrast. Some of these changes can occur with cataracts or with needing glasses, another reason for medical evaluations.
What Are the Signs of Changed Behavior?
A major change in personality can be an early sign. Someone who has always been mild-mannered and soft-spoken, may become agitated, rude and loud. Hearing loss can occur with age. It can mimic some signs of dementia like speaking louder than before and inability to follow a conversation.
Rapidly changing moods within a few minutes can also be an early sign.
Energy changes can include sleeping for prolonged periods of time, social withdrawal (not speaking to anyone) and staring or watching television for long periods of
By Ina Gilmore M.D | Submitted On August 22, 2016
Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest
Expert Author Ina Gilmore M.D
Recognizing the signs of dementia can be challenging, even for trained physicians. Dementia is a group of signs and symptoms that has multiple causes. As in many diseases and conditions, the signs of dementia are unique to the individual. So the signs of dementia in one person may be different in …show more content…
What Are the Signs of Cognitive Change?
Two or more of the following signs significantly impaired are consistent with dementia.
The most common sign is memory loss. While occasionally forgetting names or appointments can be normal, forgetting regularly or increasing forgetfulness often is not. An example is forgetting the car keys, and then being able to retrace your steps to find them. That can be normal. Not being able to retrace steps or misplacing the item in an inappropriate place is often a sign of dementia. In the example of car keys, placing them in the freezer would be an example of more severe memory loss. Other examples of memory loss include getting lost in an area you are very familiar with, not being able to do daily tasks that were previously done, not remembering the rules of a favorite game or confusion about the day and time. Forgetting the day of the week, but being able to remember it later can be normal.
Another sign is problems with communications and language. Occasionally having difficulty remembering a word is quite different from not being able to follow a conversation by suddenly stopping talking. Repeating questions multiple times within a short period of time is another sign, as are new problems with …show more content…
Occasionally making a bad decision is different from poor judgment, such as spending frivolously after many years of frugal living. Protecting the person from scam artists can be an important part of dementia care.
The final cognitive function affected is visual perception. Some the ways this can manifest include: difficulty reading, difficulty judging distances, and difficulty determining a color or contrast. Some of these changes can occur with cataracts or with needing glasses, another reason for medical evaluations.
What Are the Signs of Changed Behavior?
A major change in personality can be an early sign. Someone who has always been mild-mannered and soft-spoken, may become agitated, rude and loud. Hearing loss can occur with age. It can mimic some signs of dementia like speaking louder than before and inability to follow a conversation.
Rapidly changing moods within a few minutes can also be an early sign.
Energy changes can include sleeping for prolonged periods of time, social withdrawal (not speaking to anyone) and staring or watching television for long periods of