Age is not the only factor when it comes to dementia, although it is certainly the most common one. However, what is even more distressing than the symptoms of dementia itself is the way in which it tends to creep up on people. Most individuals in the early stages of dementia do not even realize that they need help. Sometimes, they do realize that something is wrong, but can’t quite remember or understand what it is that they considered as odd earlier. Learning about the symptoms of dementia can help you or someone close to you find help and treatment before it’s too late to do anything.
Abnormal Forgetfulness
Some people are more forgetful than others at a young age which, unfortunately, works against them as they get older. The kind of forgetful that would be considered cause for alarm in other people, might be ignored completely as natural forgetfulness in their case. So, it’s of the utmost importance for people with a history of habitual forgetfulness to be extra cautious about their memory as they get older.
Abnormal forgetfulness is difficult to define without perspective, but in general, it should be taken as a significant deterioration of memory and recall abilities that’s clearly noticeable. Forgetting things like how family members look, their names, the route to their home, etc., are all examples of abnormal forgetfulness. If you or someone in your family is straggling with abnormal forgetfulness, consult with a physician as soon as possible. They might need the professional care and monitoring facilities of a memory care home to lead a safer and happier life. For those living nearby, search for memory care in Chesterfield, MO to see your options.
Swallowing Difficulty
Dysphagia is a collective term for all swallowing difficulties in general. While there are several other possible reasons that can also lead to dysphagia, Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common ones in older people. Fortunately, dysphagia is also one of the earliest signs of dementia, so timely care can be taken to slow down or even treat further complications from both the condition (choking, malnutrition, dehydration, etc.) and the underlying cause.
Forgetting About Life Functions
It does not matter how old we are, we should not forget the need to maintain our minimum life functions under normal circumstances. If a senior is showing signs of malnutrition, dehydration, or drastic weight loss, they are most likely suffering from dementia, and it’s interfering with their ability to remember and perform even basic life functions such eating food and drinking water. They may even be suffering from severe insomnia, without realizing that to be the fact. If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself, call a family member for help. If you find a family member who lives alone to be in such a state, they may no longer fit to live alone. Consult with a physician and take appropriate care measures to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Dementia and the underlying diseases that are responsible for dementia are seldom curable. Nonetheless, they can be slowed down quite a bit with timely care. Even in the latter stage, it is possible for people with dementia to live a safer life under proper care. However, early detection and treatment always deliver the best results.
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