5 Early Warning Signs of Dementia for Seniors in Potomac, MD

Dementia is a form of cognitive decline that manifests itself in thousands of elderly men and women around the United States each year, some of which live right here in Potomac, MD.  Those who suffer from dementia, as well as their families often notice differences in behavior, but aren't always privy to warning signs of the disease. Below you will find 5 common early warning signs of dementia that you and your family should be aware of: 

Subtle Short-Term Memory Changes

Struggling with trying to remember things can be an early sign of dementia. Changes are often subtle and tend to involve short-term memory, such as not remembering what one had for lunch. Other signs of changes in short-term memory may include forgetting where an item was placed, struggling to remember why you went to a particular room, or forgetting what you were supposed to do during the week. 

Difficulty Finding the Right Words

Another early sign of dementia is a family member having difficulty communicating what is on his or her mind. In addition, explaining how they are feeling is sometimes hard to do. They may look like they are searching for the right words, but are unable to find them. Talking with someone who has dementia can be frustrating because he or she struggles with what to say. 

Changes in Mood

Changes in a person's mood are also common. An example of early dementia is depression or anxiety. Along with changes in a person's mood, you may also see a change in their personality. An example of a change in mood would be a shift from being outgoing to being quiet, shy, or vice versa. Judgment is also affected. Making decisions becomes much harder for a person in early dementia stages. 

Apathy

Listlessness or apathy is another early sign of dementia. You may notice a loved one beginning to lose interest in a hobby or an activity that they once enjoyed. They may also be losing interest in spending time with friends and family and show indifference with those they once enjoyed being with. 

Difficulty Doing Normal Tasks

Another early sign of dementia is difficulty doing normal, everyday tasks, like balancing a check book or following a set of rules while playing a board game. You may also notice a loved one struggling to follow new routines or having trouble learning how to do new tasks like organizing a small suitcase in preparation for a trip. 

We hope that these early warning signs will be of use to you and your family, and hope that you can find the right home care services in Potomac, MD or assisted living services to help with this disease.