An expert has revealed 11 early signs of dementia that you should be aware of if a family member has it.
Professor Matthew Cohen is co-director of the Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging Research. While it may be common for people to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at an older age, there is a difference between MCI and dementia. A person with dementia may experience “everyday problems with thinking and/or memory.”
Examples include asking the same questions, over and over again, or increasing reliance on mnemonic aids or on other people to remember things.
Another possible indicator of dementia is having new difficulty dealing with finances. A clear indication of dementia is when a person has difficulty with familiar tasks.
For example, if a person can no longer remember how to drive to their local store, or can’t remember the rules of their favorite game, they may have dementia.
It is also possible for advanced disease to cause a person to miss dates, places, and appointments.
There may also be new problems with spoken and written language, such as difficulty in self-expression.
Professor Cohen said: “It is normal to sometimes have difficulty finding the right word. However, it is worth checking if these problems are significantly worse than other people of the same age or if there is difficulty in following or joining a conversation.”
Dementia may also lead to misplacing items without the ability to track steps.
“It’s normal to misplace things from time to time, but if a person finds it difficult to keep track of their steps, or accuses others of stealing, it could be a sign of a health condition,” Cohen said.
Uncharacteristically bad decisions may be an indication of deteriorating brain function.
Less attention may also be paid to personal care habits, such as bathing and grooming.
Withdrawal from social activities, hobbies or other associations may be a warning sign of dementia.
There may also be changes in mood and personality, such as feeling confused, suspicious, depressed, and anxious.
11 early signs of dementia
Thinking and memory problems.
New financial difficulties.
– Challenges with familiar tasks.
Loss of track of appointments.
Changes in visual perception.
Spoken and written language problems.
Misplacing things.
Difficulty making a decision.
Less personal care.
Social withdrawal.
Changes in mood and personality.
And if you notice such symptoms in someone in your family, Professor Cohen advises seeking professional help from a general practitioner.
“People are often surprised and encouraged to learn that up to 40 percent of dementia cases can be delayed or prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle,” Cohen said.
A healthy lifestyle includes exercising, eating a good diet, managing medical conditions, and sleeping well.
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