As people age, it’s only natural that they sometimes forget things or have subtle changes to their lifestyle or personality. However, if these differences seem to be more than what you would consider to be normal, you might want to come to terms with the idea that your loved one could be showing early signs of dementia.
While dementia usually only happens to older people, it can affect those who are younger and still working age, which can cause them to have to stop working. If this is something that’s been concerning you recently, here are three early signs of dementia to look out for.
Trouble With Normal Tasks
Although there will be some daily tasks and routines that have to change as people get older, what could be cause for concern is if your loved one is having trouble with their normal tasks because they can’t remember to do them or how to accomplish them.
According to Timothy Huzar, a contributor to Medical News Today, this difficulty in completing familiar tasks will likely happen with processes or procedures that your loved one has been doing for years and years. So if and when they suddenly stop being able to do them or have a hard time finishing them because they can’t remember what to do or what happens next, dementia could be to blame for this trouble and forgetfulness.
Mood Swings Or Shifts
When dementia hits, it can be scary not only for you as that person’s loved one but also for the person who’s experiencing it. Not being able to remember something or do something or know what’s going on around you can be terrifying.
Because of this, ALZ.org shares that many people with early dementia will start to exhibit changes in their personality or mood swings. These changes are usually in a negative direction, which can manifest in being suspicious, confused, fearful, or depressed. While milder versions of this are common with simply growing older, if the shifts are sudden and striking, it could be due to dementia setting in.
Not Keeping Up With Storylines Or Timelines
As was mentioned above, people who are dealing with dementia often find themselves confused about things that otherwise wouldn’t have been hard for them to follow. For example, Valencia Higuera and Mary Ellen Ellis, contributors to Healthline.com, share that if your loved one if struggling to remember storylines, either in typical conversation or when reading or watching something, it could be a sign of dementia. Additionally, if timelines don’t make sense to them anymore, dementia could be the reason why.
If you have a loved one who’s been acting strange in their old age, consider the information mentioned above to see if they may have early signs of dementia.