The Benefits Of Early Detection: What Are The First Signs Of Dementia?

Dementia is a progressive neurological condition that poses significant challenges to individuals and their loved ones. Due to its progressive nature and impact on cognitive function, recognizing the early signs and symptoms of dementia can play a crucial role in treatment, symptom management, and future planning. Some of the early signs of dementia might include confusion, trouble retaining new information, forgetfulness, social withdrawal, and increased anxiety or depression symptoms. An early diagnosis can lead to slower symptom progression and a better quality of life. Treatment for dementia usually includes a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy.

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What is dementia?

The term “dementia” generally encompasses a range of symptoms involving cognitive decline. Alzheimer's disease can be considered the primary cause of dementia, followed by vascular dementia, which typically arises due to issues with blood flow to the brain.

Some individuals may experience mixed dementia, in which the brain is affected by more than one type of dementia at the same time. However, dementia-like symptoms can also occur due to conditions like thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. For this reason, seeking professional evaluation can be vital for proper diagnosis. 

What are the first signs of dementia?

Spotting the early signs of dementia can be difficult, as certain changes in cognitive function and memory tend to occur naturally as a person ages. However, an individual with dementia will likely face challenges that disrupt their daily life in significant ways. 

The Alzheimer's Association explains 10 early signs of dementia and how they compare to typical age-related changes:

Memory loss

A person who is experiencing the typical aging process may forget appointments occasionally, but they will usually remember them later. An individual experiencing early dementia, on the other hand, may forget information they recently learned, as well as important dates and events. They may repeatedly ask the same questions and begin to rely on family members or memory aids to complete tasks that they could previously manage on their own.

Planning and problem-solving challenges 

Individuals who are aging normally may make occasional errors when managing household bills and finances. However, those living with early dementia may struggle to work with numbers, keep track of bills, concentrate on tasks, and follow familiar recipes.

Difficulty with familiar tasks

It can be considered normal to need help with modern technology, such as needing to ask a family member how to change the settings on a smartphone or appliance. However, those showing early signs of dementia may have a hard time organizing grocery lists, remembering the rules to their favorite games, and driving to familiar locations.

Confusion with time and place

Aging individuals may sometimes be confused about the day of the week, but they will typically figure it out. Those with early dementia, on the other hand, may forget where they are or how they got there. They may also lose track of the passage of time, such as not knowing the date or the season. 

Visual and spatial perception issues

Individuals who are getting older may experience vision changes due to cataracts, while individuals living with early dementia may experience vision changes affecting their ability to read, balance, judge distance, and distinguish between colors. This can often have a negative impact on their driving abilities.

New difficulties with speaking or writing

It’s usually considered normal for an aging individual to occasionally have trouble finding the right word. Those with early dementia may have trouble following or joining a conversation, frequently repeat themselves, and struggle to name familiar objects. They may also stop in the middle of a conversation due to not knowing how to continue.

Misplacing things

It’s typically not a cause for concern when an older individual occasionally misplaces an item, particularly when they’re able to retrace their steps to find it. What sets people with early dementia apart from this is placing items in unusual locations, losing items and failing to retrace their steps, and potentially accusing others of stealing after they’ve misplaced something. 

Poor judgment

It may be expected to occasionally make a poor decision. For example, an aging individual may fail to change the oil in their car. However, those with early dementia may begin to neglect their usual health, hygiene, and grooming practices, or they may begin to make poor financial decisions.

Social withdrawal

As they grow older, some individuals may become less interested in keeping up with social or family obligations. Those experiencing early dementia symptoms may completely lose interest in their relationships with loved ones. They may also withdraw from their usual hobbies and other engagements as well. Often, this social withdrawal stems from changes in a person’s ability to hold and follow conversations.

Mood and personality changes

It can be normal for a person to develop specific routines and to become irritable when those routines are disrupted. This can differ from what a person may experience in the early stages of dementia. They might display significant changes to their mood or personality, perhaps becoming suspicious, fearful, anxious, confused, depressed, or easily upset.

The benefits of early diagnosis

While seeking a dementia diagnosis can be intimidating, an early diagnosis usually comes with significant benefits. If you've been concerned about noticeable changes in yourself or a loved one, understanding what's happening can provide clarity. Additionally, an early diagnosis may offer practical benefits, such as those discussed below.

Access to information, resources, and support

Early diagnosis generally allows individuals and their families to access essential information, resources, and support services. These can include educational materials, support groups, and counseling to help them understand and manage the condition.

Anxiety reduction

Knowing the cause of cognitive changes can alleviate anxiety for both the person diagnosed and their family. 

Improved quality of life

Timely diagnosis may enable individuals to take steps to maximize their quality of life by making lifestyle changes, seeking appropriate treatment, and developing healthy coping skills.

Treatment access

Early diagnosis can give a person access to medication and other forms of treatment that may improve or stabilize cognitive function, potentially slowing the progression of symptoms.

Ability to plan for the future

With an early diagnosis, individuals and their families can plan for the future, making important decisions about healthcare, living arrangements, and legal matters, such as power of attorney and wills.

Open communication

A diagnosis can explain changes in behavior or abilities to family, friends, and colleagues. This understanding may foster better communication and support.

Practical support and entitlements

Diagnosed individuals can check for state or social support to which they may be entitled, such as financial aid, healthcare services, and other benefits.

Employment adjustments

Those still working can consider reducing their work hours or discussing reasonable accommodations with their employer.

Safety considerations

After a diagnosis, it can be advisable to check with insurance companies regarding coverage for activities like driving to ensure safety and conformity with legal requirements.

Support group participation

Early diagnosis may empower individuals to join support groups tailored for those in the early stages of dementia. These groups can offer emotional support, share coping strategies, and provide a sense of community.

Treatment and therapy

Recognizing the first signs of dementia can be essential for obtaining a timely diagnosis and exploring effective treatment and care options. Typically, managing dementia symptoms requires a comprehensive approach, including lifestyle changes and therapeutic activities.

While there is currently no cure for dementia, some FDA-approved medications can be prescribed to slow cognitive decline and minimize certain symptoms as the disease progresses. 

Individuals may be encouraged to adopt lifestyle changes to preserve cognitive function, such as managing their blood pressure, exercising regularly, and staying mentally and socially engaged.

Research has shown that joining a dementia support group can significantly improve mental health and quality of life for both individuals with dementia and their caregivers. These groups may offer a sense of community, shared experiences, and practical advice, which can be invaluable.

In addition to medication and support groups, research suggests that certain types of talk therapy can greatly assist individuals with dementia by helping them manage symptoms like anxiety and depression. 

Furthermore, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can provide essential support and education for families and caregivers of people with dementia. 

In comparison to in-person sessions, online therapy for those with dementia and their loved ones may offer additional benefits like lower costs, flexible scheduling, and the convenience of receiving support in a familiar environment. This can make therapy more accessible and less daunting for both patients and caregivers.

While more research may be needed on the efficacy of online therapy for dementia, existing studies suggest that online therapy can be just as effective as its in-person counterpart.