When you’re younger, it is hard to imagine yourself as getting old, frail, or sick.
You picture life remaining the same without you having to worry about lifestyle changes or not being able to care for yourself. Unfortunately, for many seniors, aging isn’t an easy experience, and illnesses can throw you for a real loop.
Dementia is associated with aging and is the main term for many other diseases that fall under its umbrella, with Alzheimer’s being one of them.
A study recently released by Columbia University found almost 10% of those aged 65 and older in the USA have dementia, with the instance of the disease growing as people age. While there is no cure for dementia, there are treatments that can help, and early detection makes a difference.
Here are five common early signs of dementia to be aware of.
Noticeable Memory Loss
One of the most tell-tale early signs of dementia is memory loss which is significant enough that it affects your daily routine.
This could include such things as forgetting names, appointments, phone numbers, routines, and so forth. Memory loss may be fleeting in that you forget at the moment and then remember later on, or you may never be able to remember the information.
Communication and Language Skills Suffer
Sometimes communication skills can also act as an early warning sign. A person may stumble, forget or even substitute words when speaking. This can result in their speech being hard to follow, as they may not choose the correct words.
The Daily Routine Becomes a Challenge
Everyone has a daily routine that is made up of simple mundane tasks such as waking up, getting washed and dressed, eating well-balanced meals, doing chores, etc. Chances are you go about these tasks without a second thought.
For those displaying early signs of dementia, the daily routine can often become difficult.
They may forget parts of it, find certain tasks hard to complete, or even mix up the routine.
Problem-Solving Skills Aren’t as Sharp
Problem-solving skills can also start to deteriorate, as well as abstract thinking. Working out numbers-based problems can be especially hard, such as budgeting and paying bills.
Feeling Disoriented and Confused
Confusion and feeling disoriented are signs those with dementia often complain of. They may suddenly get confused about how they ended up in a certain room or location, not being able to remember the process that led them there.
What Can You Do?
Once a person has been diagnosed with dementia the next question is often, what can you do? If it’s a loved one such as a parent, this could be a good time to consider an assisted living facility that offers memory care.
Assisted living isn’t what it used to be; just take a look at the many recreational activities, social programs, and assistance that this facility for assisted living in Sunnyvale offers, as one example.
Today’s assisted living facilities are all about enhancing a person’s life and making sure they can achieve optimum health and wellness.
Being aware of the signs of dementia means you can seek help for yourself or a loved one early on, which can often lead to better results.