According to the World Health Organization, over 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia today, with that number expected to double in the next two decades. It’s normal to question every little slip-up.
When does normal aging cross the line into something more serious? The truth is, not every “oops” moment signals dementia. Early signs can be subtle and extend far beyond memory loss.
In fact, many of the earliest indicators are physical, ranging from changes in balance to unexpected weight loss. Understanding these signs empowers you to seek answers sooner rather than later, making a critical difference in quality of life.
Memory loss that disrupts your day
Okay, let’s start with the classic sign. Everybody forgets a name or an appointment. That’s just life. However, the memory loss, caused by dementia, is different. It involves forgetting things you just learned, repeating the same question, or even forgetting to remind yourself to do things you could easily do before.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, this isn’t just a simple slip-up; it’s a consistent pattern that starts to interfere with your daily life. It is the difference between not remembering where you parked your car and not knowing how to drive.
Difficulty with planning or problem-solving
When you find yourself struggling to follow a plan, manage your monthly payments, or even play your favorite board game, it may be a warning sign of things to come.
Individuals with dementia in the initial stages have a problem with concentration and take a lot more time to accomplish tasks they previously performed.
It is not just a simple mistake that happens when you balance your checkbook; it’s about losing the ability to work with numbers or follow a sequence of steps altogether.
Confusion about time or place
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the fact that even individuals with mild dementia may become lost at home or lose the sense of where they are and how they even appeared there. It’s a profound sense of disorientation that goes beyond a momentary lapse.
Trouble with visuals and spatial relationships
Dementia is not necessarily something you experience in your mind; it may affect your perception of the surrounding world. This may manifest itself in difficulties in reading, as well as in estimating distances, colour, and contrast.
Have you noticed difficulty navigating stairs or judging the distance to a curb when driving? Such problems may indicate premature cognitive impairment in the brain’s visual information processing.
It’s not just about needing glasses; it’s about the brain struggling to make sense of what the eyes are seeing.
New problems with words in speaking or writing
All of us have had the “it’s on the tip of my tongue” feeling. However, it is an uphill struggle for a person with early dementia. They would cut off in the middle of a conversation without knowing what happens next, or restate themselves very often.
A Frontiers in Psychology study found that “tip-of-the-tongue measures successfully discriminate between cognitively unimpaired adults and adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)”, showing that frequent word-finding failures are an early sign of decline.
They might also have difficulties with words, such as addressing a watch as a hand-clock, or failing to name a well-known thing. It’s not just about forgetting a word here and there; it’s a noticeable decline in the ability to communicate effectively.
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Losing your keys is one thing. Another is putting them in the freezer and forgetting that you did it. An individual affected by dementia may leave things in odd places and be unable to find them again.
This is not merely being messy; it is a failure in the brain to form and retrieve spatial memories, which can be very irritable and distressing. This is among the more disheartening signs at an early stage for the individual who is experiencing it.
Decreased or poor judgment
It is within our human nature to make questionable decisions in some instances. However, a history of poor judgment may be an indicator of dementia.
This can manifest as poor financial choices, such as spending a lot on telemarketers or spending less time on personal appearance.
A report in Public Policy & Aging Report notes that adults with mild cognitive decline often make worse financial and health-related decisions (lower financial literacy, vulnerability to fraud) even if they seem otherwise cognitively intact.
It’s a noticeable shift in decision-making that is out of character and can have serious consequences.
Withdrawal from work or social activities
Do you or a loved one begin to withdraw from hobbies, social functions, or other engagements that you used to enjoy? Early symptoms of dementia are apathy and lack of interest.
It may be too tiring to maintain conversations or keep up with what is going on, leading one to resort to social withdrawal. It is not just the occasional feeling of tiredness or reluctance to interact with people, but a constant lack of connection with life.
Changes in mood and personality
Everybody has a bad day; however, the mood swings that are involved in early dementia are not similar. An individual may lose his/her head, feel paranoid, get depressed, feel scared, or be afraid without any obvious explanation.
In their comfortable environments or whenever their routine is interrupted, they are easily agitated.
According to Dr. Pravir Sharma, a Consultant Psychiatrist, these uncharacteristic personality changes, combined with forgetfulness, are what separate dementia from normal aging.
Physical changes: Balance, movement, and weight loss
It is a huge one that many people tend to neglect. Do you know that sudden weight loss may happen as many as 10 years before one is diagnosed with dementia? This is an early physical sign.
Physical indicators could also include changes in walking, balance, and the number of falls. It acts as a reminder that dementia is a brain disorder, and the brain controls everything, including movement and metabolism.
Noticing one or more of these signs doesn’t automatically mean a dementia diagnosis, but it does mean it’s time to talk to a doctor. Early detection is everything.
It opens the door to treatments that can manage symptoms, provides access to support, and allows you and your family to plan for the future.
If you’re worried about yourself or someone you love, don’t wait. Take that step and get checked out. It’s the bravest and most important thing you can do.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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