Early Signs of Dementia

Where are my keys? Why did I come in this room? What was I about to do?

At some point and time we have all had memory problems.  Even young, healthy people can have “senior moments.” So how can a caregiver tell the subtle difference between normal age-related memory lapses and signs of Alzheimer’s disease – the leading type of dementia? While only a doctor can diagnose dementia there are signs to be mindful of.  Many people have memory loss issues — this does not mean they have Alzheimer’s or another dementia

Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases.

Let’s look at some of the subtle and early signs of dementia.

• Difficulty remembering recent events

• Poor judgement and decision-making

• Losing track of the date or season

• Difficulty completing small tasks

• Changes in mood or personality

• Difficulty holding conversations or repeating the same stories over again

• misplacing things often

• withdrawal from social activities

Forgetfulness can happen at any age but it is not always Alzheimer’s disease. If you notice a loved-one’s memory loss getting worse or having a significant effect on daily life, see a doctor.  To read more read HealthLine at http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/early-warning-signs-dementia.