When you or a loved one start misplacing your keys, can’t remember an acquaintance’s name or look for your glasses only to discover they’re on the top of your head, you may wonder if you’re experiencing a “senior moment” … or something more serious. After all, one of the first signs of dementias like Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss, so if you’re over the age of 65, it’s natural to be worried if you start having memory slips more and more often.
“Memory loss is a hallmark of dementia, but there are actually 10 warning signs that seniors and their loved ones need to be aware of,” says Eric Kessler, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood, a memory care assisted living community in Westwood, MA.The difficulty, he says, is that many of these signs resemble the normal symptoms of aging, which is why it’s important to understand what differentiates them.
“The biggest difference between normal memory loss and dementia-related memory loss is how much it affects your everyday life,” he says. “The sooner you notice that something is disrupting your or your loved one’s life, the better your chances will be of detecting dementia at an early stage. This is important because current treatments are most effective in the early stages and have the best success rate towards delaying the progression of the disease.”
Here are 10 warning signs of dementia that seniors and their loved ones should be aware of:
Memory issues that disrupt everyday life.
The most common and talked-about signs of dementia is forgetfulness and memory loss, especially for recently learned information. Asking the same question over and over, forgetting important events or dates and increasingly relying on memory aids (like alerts or handwritten notes) may be an early sign of dementia.
A typical age-related memory loss would be: forgetting someone’s name or missing a doctor’s appointment, but then remembering those details later.
Difficulty in solving problems or planning.
If your dad is normally a whiz with accounting but suddenly is having problems balancing a checkbook, or if your mom has been baking a certain cake her entire life but now needs the recipe card in order to remember the steps, this may be a sign of dementia. Changes in ability to work with numbers and develop and follow plans should be checked out by a doctor.
A typical age-related problem-solving ability would be: making a few errors while balancing the checkbook.
Difficulty completing familiar tasks.
People with dementia can find it hard to complete normal, everyday tasks. For example, forgetting the route to a familiar location or not remembering how to play a favorite game.
A typical age-related change would be: having to ask (yet again) how to do “that thing” on their new iPhone.
Being confused about place and time.
Very often, people with dementia lose track of time, seasons and dates. They may go outside in winter dressed for summer, or they become confused when talking about an event that isn’t happening immediately. They may also forget how they got to a certain location or forget even where they are at the moment.
A typical age-related confusion would be: forgetting what day of the week it is, but then remembering later.
Difficulty understanding spatial relationships and visual images.
Dementia affects all parts of the brain, including the areas that affect visual and spatial judgment. For example, your loved one may suddenly have difficulty judging distance, difficulty reading or find it hard to drive because it’s hard to make out the visual cues.
A typical age-related vision change would be: losing eyesight due to cataracts.
Sudden problems with words and conversation.
Individuals with dementia may find it hard to follow or join a conversation. They may struggle with finding the right word, substitute almost-right words for the names of things (“channel button pusher” instead of “remote control”). They may also repeat themselves on a constant basis.
A typical age-related vocabulary change would be: sometimes having difficulty finding just the right word.
Misplacing items and not knowing how to find them.
As dementia progresses, a person may put items in unusual places and not remember where they are. Instead of retracing their steps, they may accuse others of stealing the items or hiding them. This behavior may increase in frequency as dementia progresses.
A typical age-related change would be: forgetting where you put something, but being able to retrace your steps to find it.
Decreased or poor judgment.
Lapses in decision making or judgment are a concerning symptom of dementia. While we all make wrong decisions every once in a while, people with dementia can be taken advantage of and make bad decisions about money, or sometimes don’t pay attention to keeping themselves clean.
A typical age-related change would be: making the wrong call every once in a while.
Social isolation.
Individuals with dementia can often become secluded and withdraw from the things they previously enjoyed. This could be from shame, confusion or simply because they don’t want to be around other people because the mental changes they’re experiencing can cause interaction to be frightening.
A typical age-related social change would be: not going to some social obligations because you’re just tired and want to rest.
Changes in mood and personality.
Mood swings and behavioral problems are common with dementia patients. Because of the way the brain is being attacked by the disease, people become anxious, fearful, confused, depressed and upset. They are easily flustered when they get out of their comfort zone, and may shock friends and family when they suddenly react in an unexpected way.
A typical age-related change would be: being grumpy when your daily routine is disrupted.
If you would like more information about the warning signs of dementia, contact us at 781.251.6630.
Personalized Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.
Personalized Services
Our care and services are designed to recognize and adapt to the individual challenges and personalities of our residents, while making sure they are comfortable and safe. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide a high level of personalized attention for every resident through all stages of memory loss.
Our Amenities
Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood features a distinct design, providing residents with everything they need to enjoy comfort, familiarity and security. Our community is built specifically to benefit those with Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss … so we use soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations to create a soothing, safe environment where residents feel at ease.
Call us today at 781.251.6630 to learn more about Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood or to schedule a personal tour.