It is natural to worry about a loved one who is increasingly forgetful, often misplaces items, or experiences extreme mood changes.
Before you panic that a loved one has dementia, bear in mind the above issues might be due to another health issue. Plus, people can maintain their function for longer if the condition is caught in its early stages.
If you’re unsure whether to seek medical help, learn about the seven signs of dementia in family members. Knowing the signs can help your relative, so make it a priority.
Memory Loss
Forgetfulness happens to everyone at some point. For instance, an appointment can slip your mind, a colleague’s name might be on the tip of your tongue, or you might have trouble recalling the groceries you need while shopping.
However, a person living with dementia is more likely to forget information they’ve recently learned, might experience frequent forgetfulness, or struggle to remember happy or painful moments or occasions.
Language Issues
People living with dementia might develop language issues, which may prevent them from understanding or joining conversations. If a loved one often forgets simple words during conversation or substitutes words that don’t naturally fit into a sentence, it is a dementia warning sign you shouldn’t ignore.
Disorientation
Disorientation is a common dementia sign, as a person might not know the day, month, or year. Also, they might become lost in a familiar setting, such as their own street or a loved one’s home. Also, they might be unable to recall why they are there, how they got home, or even how to get home.
Disorientation is one of many reasons why a person living with dementia will need additional support as they age. For example, they might need a loved one to help them complete various daily tasks.
Alternatively, you may need to consider placing a family member into a dependable care homes in your area or similar to ensure they receive the support they need for their health, safety, and happiness.
Poor Judgement
Most people are guilty of making silly decisions at some point, such as avoiding the doctor when they have a medical issue. Yet, someone living with dementia might experience changes in their decision-making or judgment, such as wearing warm, heavy clothing on a hot summer’s day, not assessing heavy traffic when crossing the road, or giving away money.
Mood Changes
Mood changes are a common sign of dementia, which can cause a noticeable change in a family member’s personality. For instance, a family member might appear depressed, scared, anxious, confused, or suspicious. Also, they might have emotional outbursts at work, at home, with loved ones, or when in an unfamiliar setting.
Social Withdrawal
Social withdrawal is a common sign of dementia, as a family member might avoid gatherings due to a fear of forgetting simple words or a person’s name. Unfortunately, social withdrawal can lead to social isolation, which is why it is essential to visit and call a loved one as much as possible to prevent loneliness.
Following a diagnosis, it might be beneficial for your family member to attend various support groups, such as a dementia coffee morning or a dementia-friendly walking group, book club, swimming session, or art class.
Abstract Thinking Issues
Abstract thinking can become an issue for those living with dementia, as they might not understand the meaning of numbers and symbols. As a result, a family member might struggle to use a calculator or balance a checkbook, as they will not know the purpose of numbers and symbols or how to use them.
