Dementia Symptoms: 10 Early Signs of Dementia You Shouldn’t Ignore

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Dementia is a devastating disease of the brain that causes a range of physical and mental symptoms. With 200 recognized subtypes of dementia, it is estimated that more than 850,000 people in the UK live with one form of the condition.

Statistics from the NHS show that one in 14 people over the age of 65 has dementia, with the condition affecting one in six people over the age of 80.

The five most common types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia.

The condition can also affect people under the age of 65, with nearly 42,000 people in the UK living with early-onset dementia according to Dementia UK.

So what exactly is dementia and what causes it?

Read more: Dementia: Experts recommend activities to improve brain health

During a dementia exam, your GP will ask you to identify your symptoms and how they started, and order blood tests and possibly a brain scan.

The GP may also ask some questions to test cognitive ability such as

List the day, date and year Name some common items, from pictures, or as answers to questions Remember and repeat items to test focus and short-term memory Complete the drawing 10 warning signs of dementia

This warning list is from Dementia UK.

The charity advises looking at the following checklist of common symptoms of dementia, and if the affected person has many of these signs, see a doctor for a full evaluation.

1. Dementia and memory loss

It’s normal to forget appointments once in a while and remember them later.

A person with dementia may forget things often or not at all.

2. Dementia and difficult tasks

People can get distracted and may forget to serve part of the meal.

A person with dementia may have trouble with all the steps involved in meal preparation.

3. Dementia and confusion

A person with dementia may have difficulty finding their way to a familiar place, feel confused about where they are, or think they have returned at some point in their life.

4. Dementia and language problems

Everyone has difficulty finding the right word sometimes, but a person with dementia may forget simple words or substitute inappropriate words, making sentences difficult to understand. They may also have difficulty understanding others.

5. Dementia and changes in abstract thinking

Managing finances can be difficult for anyone, but a person with dementia may have trouble figuring out what the numbers mean or what to do with them.

6. Dementia and poor judgment

Many activities require good judgment. When this ability is affected by dementia, a person may have difficulty making appropriate decisions, such as what to wear in cold weather.

7. Dementia and poor spatial skills

A person with dementia may have difficulty judging distance or direction when driving a car.

8. Dementia and misplaced control

Anyone can put a wallet or keys in a temporarily inappropriate place. A person with dementia may not know the purpose of the keys.

9. Dementia, mood and personality or behavior change

Everyone becomes sad or moody from time to time. A person with dementia can experience rapid mood swings, for no apparent reason.

They can become confused, suspicious, or withdrawn. Some can become disenchanted or more extroverted.

10. Dementia and loss of initiative

It is normal to get tired of some activities.

Dementia may cause a person to lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed or require cues to participate.

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