7 Early Signs of Dementia

Dementia Early Warning Signs

While forgetfulness can be a normal part of ageing, subtle memory changes are not, particularly those that involve short-term memories. For instance, a person may have dementia if they can recall events that happened many years ago but have trouble remembering things they did recently.



2. Confusion

Confusion is fairly common among people in the early stages of dementia. They may have trouble remembering faces or people they know, forget where they are, and misplace their personal belongings. In some cases, they get so confused that they wander off to look for someone or something related to their past.



3. Deteriorating Communication Skills

An early symptom of dementia is if a person’s ability to communicate with other people is suddenly declining. For instance, someone with dementia may have trouble engaging in regular conversation with another person. They may also struggle with proper grammar, spelling, and other communication tools.



4. Mood/Personality Changes

Individuals who experience sudden changes in their mood or personality may be suffering from dementia. Mood changes may include anxiety, depression, or irritability. As for the personality changes, you will notice this if a person who used to be shy and reserved suddenly becomes outgoing.

5. Difficulty with Seemingly Easy Tasks

A person with dementia may have difficulty completing seemingly easy tasks, such as reading, writing, doing basic arithmetic, following directions, calculating numbers, making coffee, using a computer, operating a smartphone, or traveling to another location.



6. Poor Judgment

Another early sign of dementia is poor judgment and decision making. You will notice this if a person who used to be sensible and responsible is suddenly not being fair and reasonable. This may include decisions regarding financial matters, social affairs, personal hygiene, healthcare, and others.

7. Repetitive Behaviours

If a person is exhibiting repetitive behaviour, such as repetitively performing tasks or asking questions, they may have dementia. This is believed to be caused by a combination of memory loss and an individual’s reaction to the neurological changes caused by dementia.



What You Can Do for Someone with Dementia

If you suspect that a loved one may be suffering from signs or symptoms of dementia, please consult your family doctor as soon as possible. Or if someone you care about has already been diagnosed with dementia, you can help keep them safe should they wander off by investing in the right equipment, such as a location tracking device.

INS LifeGuard offers solutions to address wandering in persons with dementia. We have a GPS tracker with geo-fence alarm that allows you to keep an eye on your loved ones when you’re not with them. With this life-saving solution, you will have peace of mind knowing that you can quickly find them in case they wander off or get lost.