During family gatherings or in day-to-day life, it can be challenging to discern the normal emotional ebbs and flows of an older loved one from the early warning signs of dementia. Yet the sooner the condition is caught, the quicker and more effective a plan can be made to sustain or improve the quality of life of the loved one and the family.
At Institute on Aging (IOA), we understand the difficulty of recognizing dementia. We designed our Companioa program to provide aging adults and their families the dementia support they require to navigate a diagnosis and continue living independently, which is made possible by quality support tools and programs.
Unfortunately, all too often, the early signs of dementia are not easy to spot, as they can take years to impact a person’s cognitive abilities fully. Recognizing the signs as soon as possible is critical. Early detection allows for timely intervention, which can significantly delay the progression of dementia and thus enable the individual to remain engaged and independent for as long as possible.
Spotting Early Signs of Dementia
While dementia affects everyone at a different rate, there is some commonality in the typical early signs. The following symptoms and examples most often mark dementia in its early stages:
- Impaired cognitive abilities for retaining new information or completing tasks
- Asking the same questions repeatedly within the same conversation
- Struggling to follow written instructions for a game, program set up, or daily itinerary
- Becoming lost in familiar locations
- Distorted sense of time
- Difficulty discerning the time of day, what day within the week, and the current season
- Issues with money management
- Forgetting to pay bills or paying them multiple times
- Making poor decisions and falling prey to scams
- Visual and spatial disorientation
- More frequent falls and impaired ability to judge distance and color
- Language expression
- Forgetting common words or stopping mid-sentence while speaking
- Decreased interest in hobbies and relationships
- Reading less, skipping social gatherings, and withdrawing from previous interests
- Abrupt mood swings and/or personality changes
Notably, these signs are not definitive when spotting dementia, and isolated instances aren’t necessarily a cause for concern. Distinguishing the differences between real symptoms and regular aging slowdowns is key, and should be considered along with other tools like cognitive tests.
Complete Trusted Cognitive Tests
Beyond spotting early signs, having a loved one complete cognitive tests is an excellent follow-up step to check their mental well-being. While not diagnostic or clinical, these online tests offer another layer of feedback on whether someone is exhibiting early signs of dementia.
IOA recommends the Self-Administered Gerognitive Exam (SAGE) as an easy, quick test that asks a mix of medical and personal questions. If more than half the answers are wrong, then it is recommended that the test-taker visit a professional for further examination.
Other tools like the Clock Draw Test can be completed quickly with a pen and paper, or a Simple Word Memory game can reveal the level of mental acuity in an aging adult.
By spotting the early warning signs and taking cognitive tests, vital information can be gained and, if necessary, a response plan can be formed.
Assess Treatment Options
If a healthcare provider confirms the diagnosis of dementia, then quickly creating a support and treatment plan is critical to improving outcomes and a person’s quality of life.
We know a dementia diagnosis can unnerve a family, but it’s important to remember you aren’t alone on this journey. As a non-profit, IOA advocates for our dementia clients and their caregivers by helping you navigate the process, consider care options, and provide emotional support and education. Our experts are here to listen and help guide you to the best path forward for your unique situation.
IOA created Companioa to provide partnership and peace of mind. Through our community based programs, support and care, those affected by dementia remain engaged and independent for as long as possible.
