Signs to Be on the Lookout for Dementia

Gary Joseph LeBlanc – Common Sense Caregiving

It's common for people to experience bouts of forgetfulness. So, if you find yourself thinking it's Friday when it's actually Monday, don't worry. This doesn't mean that you're showing signs of Alzheimer's or any other form of dementia.  Everyone drifts through spells of forgetfulness.

But if you're concerned about yourself, a family member, colleague, or someone in your community, there are several red flags to keep an eye out for. In the early stages, you may experience difficulty with memory recall. In the initial stage, you might notice there be a strain when attempting to recall:

• Important dates

• Appointments

• Familiar names

I also recommend watching for certain characteristics, such as:

• Repeatedly asking the same question

• Having a shorter attention span

• Losing sense of time

There are occasions where issues may arise when handling numbers, like struggling to balance a checkbook or mistakenly dating a check decades in the past. These mishaps can be attributed to our working memory, a crucial aspect of executive brain function. This ability allows us to process and manipulate information without losing track of our tasks. How many times have we been counting something and a minor distraction causes us to lose count? While these mistakes may seem insignificant and attributed to fatigue, frequent occurrences may be a sign of potential problems.

Struggling with reading can also be a warning sign. Being unable to get past the first page of a newspaper, repeatedly re-reading the beginning of a book, or having difficulty filling out a simple questionnaire are all indications that someone may be experiencing a decline in their ability to focus and retain information in the short term.

As these conditions worsen, excuses will likely flow like a raging river. Those affected by dementia are known for their remarkable ability to come up with creative excuses. In fact, they become masters at it. You may perceive their behavior as being stubborn or uncooperative, but it's important to remember that it is less embarrassing for them to say "no" than to risk appearing foolish in front of others. We can all relate to that feeling.

Following this, accusations will likely fly. The care partner or someone else will be blamed for misplaced items by these individuals. Expect to witness rapid shifts in mood, with frustration being expressed over simple tasks or errands that cannot be completed. This is what I refer to as the "frustration stage." Imagine suddenly being unable to do something you've been doing effortlessly for most of your life. Your initial reaction will likely be anger - towards yourself, then towards your loved ones or whoever is nearest, and finally towards the world. I've seen and experienced this many times. However, I call it a stage because it eventually subsides. In fact, I have observed many of these individuals become incredibly sweet once they realize their care partner is genuinely there to help them.

As this impairment progresses, there may be times when words fail them and they struggle to speak. With certain types of dementia, language skills can decline significantly. They may withdraw from conversations or suddenly stop speaking in the middle of a sentence. It's as if their mind is searching for the right word or phrase, but it just won't come. Additionally, they may often substitute one word for another, such as saying "radio" instead of "television."

It's important to keep a record of these changes so that you can share them with their healthcare professionals and attending physicians. There may be times when you are on your way home from a doctor's appointment and realize you forgot to mention something important. I highly suggest keeping a journal and writing down all the changes you notice. This will come in handy in many different situations.

Early diagnosis is crucial when it comes to Alzheimer's or other dementia-related diseases. Each disease requires a different approach for treatment. If your physician gives you a dementia diagnosis, the first thing you should ask is "What's causing it?" There is an underlying issue in your body that is affecting your cognitive function. It's important to note that some people in their 90s live without experiencing dementia, and this is how life is supposed to be. Dementia is not a natural part of aging. Your general physician should refer you to a neurologist for an official diagnosis at this point; if they don't, don't hesitate to request one. It's important to involve family members in creating a personalized care plan with medical professionals as soon as possible. This team approach can greatly benefit the affected person.

It is crucial to understand that numerous symptoms may be linked to medication, stress, or depression. This highlights the importance of having individuals with cognitive problems undergo a thorough medical evaluation at the initial onset of any concerns. We hope that with fortune, the diagnosis will reveal nothing significant, allowing them to enjoy their "golden years" as they were intended.

If you have reason to believe that someone you know may be showing symptoms of dementia, it is important to notify those you believe should be involved and arrange for an early diagnosis as soon as possible.

Gary Joseph LeBlanc, Director of Education

Dementia Spotlight Foundation