At Carers2u, we offer a range of at-home care services to a wide variety of people. We provide many care services to older adults suffering from dementia. We know a dementia diagnosis can be difficult to deal with, and that the condition can be very concerning. Consequently, we’ve compiled some early signs of dementia so that you can be informed and keep an eye out when visiting elderly relatives or friends.
Additionally, for information and support please visit Dementia UK and the NHS website
Keep an eye out for these 6 early signs of dementia. If you see a loved one suffering with these, it might be best to book an appointment with their GP as soon as possible.
Memory loss
Sometimes, as we get older, we get forgetful. This is a natural part of the aging process. However, when memory loss starts to disrupt the day to day running of your life, it could be an early sign of dementia. Subsequently, be sure to keep an eye out for any of the following:
- forgetting information recently learnt
- repeated questioning
- telling the same story over again
- misplacing objects.
Struggling with day to day tasks
Sometimes, one of the early signs of dementia is when day to day tasks become difficult. These are generally cognitive tasks, like following a recipe. If your loved one is finding tasks that they previously did on a day to day basis challenging, it’s best to visit the GP.
Vision problems
Sometimes, people experiencing the early onset of dementia may have issues with their vision. Common vision problems include:
- Lack of comprehension on visual images like infographics
- Difficulty judging shades of colour or contrasting colours
- Difficulty with depth perception or distance.
Writing and Communicating difficulty
Memory-affecting conditions can make it difficult to recall common words and phrases. Therefore, issues with vocabulary can be a sign of early dementia. Forgetting a common word or using the incorrect word to describe something should be flagged to a GP.
Organisational difficulties
One of the early signs of dementia is organisational difficulties. Losing track of the day, forgetting appointments, struggling to organise a diary or calendar – these are all possible early symptoms and should be communicated to a medical professional.
Mood shifting
Sometimes, someone living with dementia may demonstrate unusual shifts in mood. Therefore, dementia sufferers may be depressed, anxious, fearful or suspicious. If you notice any unusual behaviours, alert a medical professional. People with dementia are also often very confused. As a result, they sometimes forget where they are or how they got there. Consequently, this can be a frightening sensation. Remember to stay patient, talk to your loved one and try to reassure them.
Should your loved one be struggling with day to day activities, our empathetic carers are experienced in dementia care and are available to assist. Simply get in touch with our friendly team today to discuss the individual needs. However, should you or your loved one be struggling with any of the above, we’d always recommend you discuss the issues with your GP.
