4 Early Signs of Dementia
Many family caregivers to older adults fear the possibility of their aging relatives developing dementia. It’s a difficult disease to deal with because it gets worse and worse over time, robbing the senior of their memory and cognitive abilities. Eventually, they are unable to recognize their own loved ones or do even the simplest tasks. There is no cure for dementia, but when it is diagnosed early there are treatments that can help with some symptoms. In addition, an early diagnosis gives family time to prepare for increased care needs. Below are 4 early signs of dementia that may help you to determine if it’s time to talk to a doctor about dementia.
#1: Personality Changes
Elderly Care Drexel Hill, PA: Signs of Dementia
Dementia causes physical changes in the brain, which can cause the senior’s personality to change, too. You might notice that they seem anxious or fearful. There may be signs of depression, too. An older adult with dementia may become easily irritated, especially when they are in an unfamiliar place or situation.
#2: Putting Things in Strange Places
An older adult with dementia may place common items in uncommon places. For example, they might set their keys in the freezer. Or, they might simply frequently lose items and be unable to go back over their steps to find them. As the disease worsens, the older adult may even accuse other people of stealing the items.
#3: Unusual Memory Loss
Dementia affects memory. Early on, it may be hard for the older adult to remember things they recently learned or the names of people they’ve recently met. The senior might forget about important events or appointments. Family members typically notice that they repeat the same stories over and over or repeatedly ask the same questions.
#4: Confusion About Time and Place
The older adult may be confused about what the season or date is. They might also be confused about where they are, such as being unsure of how they got there. Dementia can also cause seniors to be unsure about things that aren’t happening right now.
Should your older family member be diagnosed with dementia, help is available through elderly care agencies. Elderly care agencies can send fully vetted, trained, and experienced providers to your aging relative’s home to assist them throughout all the stages of dementia. In the early stages, elderly care can do things like remind the older adult to take medications or attend appointments. Later, when more care is needed, an elderly care provider can make certain the senior stays safe as well as assisting with things like dressing, bathing, and eating.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care in Drexel Hill, PA please contact the caring staff at True Direct Home Health Care today.
Sources
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352013
https://www.healthline.com/health/dementia/early-warning-signs
Doc, as he is called by everyone - staff, patients and clients - first experienced home health care and hospice care while as a colleg student at King's College as he cared for his mother every day while she first battled COPD and then lung cancer. It was during this time that he came to understand that caring for a patient was more than just clinical expertise.
"Admittedly, my strongest attribute is my communication skills and the simple fact that I love to help people. Even the smallest thing you can do for someone really can mean so much to them long term. In fact, it could change them forever. That's what providing quality personal home health care should be all about."
In his spare time, he cooks for homeless shelters and children's music and arts events. He also is highly involved in his local youth sports soccer academy as a coach and Board member.
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