Dementia is a progressive condition that affects thinking, behavior, and memory in people who are affected. Occasional forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging, but recognizing the earliest signs of dementia allows seniors to get care right away. Understanding what some of these early symptoms are allows dementia care providers, medical providers, and family members to work together to put a plan in place.
Disinterested in Favorite Activities
One of the first signs that family members may notice is that seniors start to have a sudden lack of interest in hobbies or activities they once enjoyed. A senior who loved gardening might forget about their plants, for instance. These changes aren’t about boredom. They’re often related to the cognitive and emotional impacts of early dementia.
Repetitive Behaviors and Stories
In the early stages of dementia, seniors might repeat questions, stories, or even actions. It might appear harmless at first, but this repetitiveness can indicate memory challenges that are slightly bigger than just forgetfulness. Working with these symptoms and redirecting seniors if they’re stuck in a repetitive loop can help.
Questionable Decisions
Poor judgment and trouble making decisions is another red flag for seniors in the early stages of dementia. Seniors might make odd financial decisions, fall for scams, or wear clothing that is inappropriate for the weather or activities. These situations might just seem odd at first, but there could be something deeper going on.
Disorientation in Place and Time
Another common problem is that seniors in the early stages of dementia may forget what day it is or get lost in a familiar neighborhood. These lapses can be scary, and the fear may make it even more difficult for aging adults with dementia to recover easily from those situations. These changes can sometimes contribute to seniors needing to make decisions about driving, like letting home care providers drive for them.
Trouble Learning New Things
In the earlier stages of dementia, seniors may have more trouble with new skills, updated appliances, or learning to play a game. These difficulties aren’t because they don’t want to learn these things. On the contrary, it’s because their brains are having more trouble processing and retaining new information.
Missing Appointments or Responsibilities
Forgetting an appointment or missing some other small task related to daily life isn’t necessarily a guarantee that someone has dementia. But if these lapses are starting to occur more often and seniors aren’t using tools they normally rely on to help them maintain their daily lives, they might be dealing with something bigger.
Any of these signs on their own or once in a while might be related to something else, like extra stress or not feeling well. But if they’re occurring more often or if multiple signs are present, it might be time for seniors to talk to their doctors about a dementia screening. Dementia care providers can be there for families to learn to adjust to these new issues. Seniors can get the support they need to age in place for as long as they can.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Dementia Care Services in Ashland, OH, please contact the caring staff at Central Star Home Health today. Call 419-756-9449
Central Star Home Health is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Ohio, including Ashland, Bellville, Bucyrus, Crestline, Galion, Lexington, Mansfield, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Ontario, Shelby, and Willard.
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