Symptoms Of Dementia
Dementia is a condition that affects millions worldwide. While dementia most commonly impacts older adults, people as young as their 30s can also develop symptoms of dementia. Knowing the early symptoms of dementia can help you get a head start on researching treatment options and connecting with a variety of support organizations.
Signs and symptoms of dementia
Dementia is a group of symptoms that can cause memory loss, impaired motor function, changes in communication skills, and other challenges. There are several types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington’s disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Risk factors for dementia include genetics, age, traumatic brain injury, hearing loss, diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels, and certain lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, drinking).
While there is no cure for the condition, people with dementia can alleviate their symptoms through a comprehensive care plan. Certain medications can improve brain health, potentially enhancing cognitive functioning and limiting the effects of symptoms like altered perception or irritability. Professionals who provide mental health care can help individuals address the emotional concerns of dementia. Additionally, some people with dementia may benefit from joining support groups, where they can meet people experiencing similar challenges.
Dementia is not always easy to recognize, particularly because the body naturally changes as we age. It’s important to be aware of the signs so that you can see your physician if they present themselves.
The following signs may show up in any type of dementia:
Forgetting important things often and not remembering them later
Problems completing everyday tasks, such as preparing a meal
Getting lost more easily or not knowing where they are or what year it is
Excessive trouble finding the right word or substituting the wrong word
Trouble thinking, reasoning, and judging situations appropriately
Trouble telling what direction they are going or judging the distance
Rapid mood swings, confusion, suspiciousness, or losing inhibitions
Trouble starting activities on their own without prompting
Early signs to look for
The first signs of this disease might go mostly unnoticed. It’s important to watch for patterns rather than just one instance of the symptom. Here is a list of several potential early signs of dementia that may help:
Forgetting recent events
Becoming confused more often
More difficulty concentrating than usual
Personality changes
Increasing apathy, withdrawal, or depression
Losing the ability to perform everyday tasks
There is also an early sign test your doctor can give you.
You can also take a screening test online. The SAGE Test is one that requires no special equipment. You can download and take it to find out if you show enough early signs to be concerned about. A healthcare professional can interpret your results and help you understand the severity and frequency of potential dementia symptoms.
Early signs across genders
Dementia warning signs may vary from person to person. There are also some differences for certain groups of people. For example, signs of this disease in men may be somewhat different from signs in women. Verbal skills can deteriorate in dementia, but the rate of mental decline in these abilities is typically faster for women than for men. Women often have memory problems earlier in the course of dementia than men, too. Men who have depression are also more likely to develop dementia than women.
Different types of dementia
The effects someone will experience while living with dementia often vary depending on what type they have. Three different types of dementia are frontotemporal, Lewy body, and vascular, and each is unique in how it presents in the mind and body. These are not the only disorders people with dementia can develop, though. Less common forms of the condition include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Mild cognitive impairment
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is when someone has more thinking or memory problems than other people their age. The symptoms are not as severe as other types, and they may improve, but people with MCI are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s or a related type of dementia. Signs of MCI may include the following:
Misplacing things often
Forgetting about important events or appointments
Having difficulty finding the words for what you want to say
Frontal lobe dementia
Frontal lobe dementia, also called frontotemporal, usually happens to people between the ages of 45 and 64. While its exact cause is unknown, frontotemporal dementia has been linked to thyroid disease and traumatic brain injury. Frontal lobe dementia signs can include:
Changes in behavior, judgment, and personality
Problems with written or spoken language skills
Problems initiating movement
Problems with walking, posture, and stiffness in the upper body
The specific signs you have depend greatly on what type of frontal lobe dementia you are diagnosed with. To find out more, talk to a counselor or doctor knowledgeable about its specific symptoms.
Lewy body
Lewy body dementia is a condition in which alpha-synuclein deposits called Lewy bodies accumulate in the brain. Lewy bodies affect brain cells and cause problems with thinking, behavior, mood, and movement. There are two types of this dementia: dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia. Symptoms of both dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia include cognitive impairment, behavioral changes, and alterations in perception. You might see the following Lewy body dementia signs:
Changes in thought patterns and reasoning
Changing levels of alertness and confusion from one moment to the next
Hunched posture, balance difficulty, rigid muscles, or other Parkinsonian effects
Visual hallucinations
Acting out dreams
Vascular
Vascular dementia is caused by conditions that diminish or block the flow of blood to the brain. Symptoms could include:
Confusion
Disorientation
Speech problems, such as trouble finding the right word
Vision loss
Issues with planning and judgment
Uncontrolled laughing or crying
Mixed
Mixed dementia is when a person has two or more types of the disease, such as co-occurring normal pressure hydrocephalus and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The most common type of mixed dementia is Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
Rapid, early, and late-stage dementia
Recognizing the signs of rapid-onset, early-onset, and late-stage dementia is crucial because these symptoms may indicate that the end of life is nearing.
Rapid onset
Sudden onset dementia can happen at any age, and it is important to seek help as soon as possible. While most dementias develop over the course of years, rapid onset dementias can happen in months, weeks, or even days.
Signs of early onset dementia
Early onset dementia or early onset Alzheimer's disease refers to the age at which you have the first symptoms. Those who develop early-onset dementia will be diagnosed when they are younger than 65. It happens most often to people 45 and older, but an even earlier diagnosis of dementia is possible in your 30s.
Knowing what you’re facing starts with recognizing the signs of early-onset dementia. In addition to general early signs, some of the earliest signs can also include:
Problems remembering things just learned
Memory loss that disrupts work or home life
Problems with planning and problem-solving
Issues completing work or home tasks
Confusion with times and locations
Certain vision problems, which can include trouble judging distance, color, and contrast, as well as trouble with reading and driving
Having difficulty retracing steps when something is lost
Showing poor judgment at work or during personal time
Avoiding work projects and social activities
Mood problems that might include depression, anxiety, confusion, or paranoia
Changes in personality
Signs of late-stage dementia
You may already know you or a loved one has dementia. Even if it’s something you’ve been aware of for a while, you might not have been told what you can expect when you're in the final stages of the disease. Dementia experts have identified these 10 signs that someone is nearing the end of their life:
You can only say a few words or phrases, and they might not make sense.
You need help with all your everyday activities.
You eat less, have trouble swallowing, and eventually lose your ability to swallow altogether.
You lose all control of your bladder and bowels, becoming completely incontinent.
You cannot walk or stand at all and have trouble sitting up, eventually unable to do anything but lie in bed.
Your condition deteriorates rapidly.
You lose consciousness.
You become more agitated and restless than before.
Your breathing becomes irregular.
Your hands and feet are extremely cold
Risk factors and living with dementia
There are some things that can put people more at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, including other medical conditions like Down syndrome, thyroid problems, and even low blood sugar. Other risk factors include genetics, traumatic brain injury, and high blood pressure. Incorporating healthy activities into daily life—such as exercise, a balanced diet, and regular sleep—can decrease one’s risk of developing dementia.
Online counseling with BetterHelp
Counseling may be beneficial as you cope with symptoms of dementia, learn of a diagnosis, or help a loved one through different treatment options. If you’re a caregiver of someone living with dementia, online therapy might be especially helpful. You can connect with licensed counselors through BetterHelp, an online platform that lets you get care according to your schedule and availability.
One study assessed the efficacy of a virtual cognitive therapy program for older adults with vascular dementia or Alzheimer's as well as their caregivers. Researchers found that participants experienced improvements in general cognitive skills and functioning, including their short-term/working memory. They also reported a better quality of life. Caregivers saw improvements in their “mood, stress, anxiety, and quality of sleep.”
Takeaway
Some forgetfulness with age is to be expected, but dementia is not a normal part of getting older. There are many types of dementia, each with its own warning signs and symptoms. Understanding what dementia can look like in different stages may help you catch it earlier so that you can begin early treatment before the disease progresses. Living with the symptoms and diagnosis of any medical condition can be difficult, which is why it’s important to seek support when you need it. A licensed online counselor can help you find more effective ways to manage your symptoms, take care of your own health, and live a healthy lifestyle.
How do people cope with this disease?
One of the first steps a person usually must go through when coping with dementia is to accept that changes have occurred and that more will occur. Acceptance is important because some people may try to conceal their diagnosis in the early stages, which can be a significant source of stress and may substantially lower a person’s quality of life well before the worst ailments take hold.
Below are three steps for developing a simple, effective coping strategy:
- Identify challenging tasks. The person should consider what activities have become challenging and which are likely to become more difficult as time passes. For example, remembering when to take medications. Ensuring that medical routines are followed strictly can help reduce health complications caused by this disease.
- Prioritize necessary tasks. A person becomes less capable of completing basic tasks as dementia progresses. Prioritizing which tasks are the most important can reduce the brain’s workload considerably, making it easier to stay on track.
- Decide the best strategy. High-priority tasks that must be completed should be given a supportive strategy. For example, if a person struggles to cook meals, they may benefit from a strategy that reduces the complexity of meals.
Many strategies for coping rely on accepting help from others. For many, accepting help can be difficult, but it is likely an essential part of ensuring the quality of life remains as high as possible for as long as possible. Friends and family are likely eager to help and should be considered good resources to reach for support.
However, evidence suggests that several common situations can potentially exacerbate the effects:
- Health behaviors. As dementia progresses, a person often begins to lose track of health behaviors that they used to engage in regularly. They may struggle to remember when to take medications, eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, or seek medical care.
- Perception and acceptance. Everyone reacts to a diagnosis differently, but many people struggle to accept their diagnosis and take proactive steps to ensure their quality of life. They may try to hide their ailments and manage their emotions, which may appear as a worsening of the disease's effects.
- Changes in routine. Those with this disease usually benefit from adhering to a routine. Changes in routine, such as when daylight savings time begins or ends, can temporarily increase confusion, agitation, or hyperactivity.
- Delirium. Delirium is a clinical syndrome that is usually found in the elderly, regardless of whether they have been diagnosed with dementia. It is characterized by an alteration of attention, consciousness, and cognition. By definition, the signs of delirium are caused by an underlying medical condition separate from their dementia. If a person’s ailments seem to worsen suddenly, it is possible another medical cause is to blame.
How do you make a person with this disease feel loved and cared for?
Caring for a person with this disease can be challenging at times, but the support of loving caregivers can substantially increase their quality of life. One of the most important ways you can support a loved one is to accept and understand their diagnosis. Many of those with this disease struggle to accept their diagnosis and may try to conceal their ailments, especially if they are diagnosed while relatively young, like in early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Support from loved ones likely increases their willingness to engage in coping strategies and adhere to supportive strategies designed to bolster their quality of life.
Why is it important to include individuals with this disease in all aspects of their care?
Although evidence suggests that dementia often progresses to a point where an individual loses their sense of self, it further indicates that a feeling of being oneself and autonomy can fluctuate over time. It can progress to the point where a person can no longer make decisions for themselves, but they may still be aware of some - or all - of their circumstances. They should be treated with the same dignity and respect they were entitled to before their diagnosis.
When should a person with this disease stop living alone?
There is no set criteria for when a person should stop living alone. The decision is usually based on a person’s ability to engage in activities of daily living like bathing, cooking, and adhering to medical regimes. A person with dementia is likely to increase the length of time they live alone by recognizing what impacts their diagnosis is likely to have and adopting coping strategies to help them navigate the decline.
Independent living is likely to be extended by adopting adjunctive techniques for maintaining self-care, such as adopting a daily self-care routine that does not change.
What do people with this disease struggle with the most?
The exact presentation and impact varies from person to person based on their unique circumstances and dementia risk. In the early stages, a person will likely be able to take care of themselves and stick to an appropriate routine; as time goes on, they will likely struggle to complete activities of daily living and may require significantly more support to take care of themselves.
Although everyone diagnosed with dementia will experience a progressive decline that interferes with their ability to function, one of the most common things that people struggle with is accepting their diagnosis.
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