Individuals and their families living with Dementia are commonly met with unique challenges due to the symptoms associated with the condition. The likelihood of developing Dementia increases with age, although it’s not a part of the normal aging process. Dementia studies indicate about 5 to 8 percent of all people over the age of 65 have some form of Dementia and as many as half of people 85 and older have Dementia.

Dementia is caused by damage to the brain that prevents nerve cells from working properly. The symptoms of the condition depend on which part of the brain is affected but can include:

Memory Loss and Changes in Cognitive Function

Occasionally forgetting important dates, the names of friends, or family members’ phone numbers is normal as we age (some neurons in the brain naturally die as we get older). When memory loss persists and becomes disabling, then it becomes a cause for concern.

Persistent memory loss and declining cognitive function are often the first signs of Dementia. A person living with Dementia may forget things more often and have trouble recounting recently learned information.

While a continuation of memory loss can indicate a person is suffering from a degenerative brain disorder, it does not always mean your loved one has Dementia, as memory loss alone doesn’t confirm a diagnosis. For this reason, families should have their loved ones evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional to discover the exact cause of memory loss.

Trouble Completing Familiar Tasks

Our brains allow us to complete routine tasks without needing to think about them. Distractions and other factors can contribute to a person needing a moment to remember something about a partial task. However, if a person has difficulties accomplishing familiar tasks, it may be due to a larger concern, as this is a common sign of Dementia.

A person with Dementia often can’t remember how to go about doing tasks they’ve done their entire lives, such as:

• Preparing a meal
• Playing a favorite game and remembering the specific rules
• Driving to a place they’ve been before
• Managing a budget or paying bills

Changes in Language and Communication Behaviors

From time to time, everyone has difficulty finding the right words to accurately express their emotions or thoughts. Although occasionally having trouble finding the correct wordage and combination of phrases is normal, constant drawbacks can indicate a person is living with Dementia.

This is because there’s a difference between having trouble finding the right words and not remembering what words to use in a specific conversation. A person with Dementia may forget simple phrases and use substitute words, making it difficult for the people they are conversing with to understand what they are trying to say.

Misplacing Items

Even the brightest and most sound-minded individuals forget where they leave things on occasion. Misplacing your wallet or keys from time to time isn’t necessarily a reason to worry, but it may suggest a more serious problem.

Individuals living with Dementia are known for routinely forgetting where they put things. Even more concerning, Dementia patients commonly leave things in places that don’t make much sense. For example, car keys left in the freezer, or a wristwatch stored in the food pantry.

Changes in Mood, Personality, and Behavior

The causes of Dementia impact a person’s brain, which can lead to changes in moods and behaviors. These shifts are often severe and brought on unexpectedly. For example, people living with Dementia may become saddened, angry, and agitated with no obvious reason as to why.

Dementia can also cause some individuals to be confused and suspicious of others they have a close relationship with, such as a friend or family member. These feelings can cause the Dementia patient to act differently around the other person and withdraw.

Loss of Intertest or Initiative

Dementia can impact a person’s initiative and cause them to lose interest in things they once enjoyed doing. While it’s normal to not want to do things like housework, business responsibilities, and social obligations, being passive and disinterested about once passionate topics can be a sign that a person is living with Dementia.

Furthermore, because Dementia makes it difficult to remain on task, individuals with the illness have trouble developing and following a plan. Instead, they must rely on the help of others to remain focused when completing tasks. 

Impaired Judgment

Questionable judgment and making poor decisions are common symptoms of Dementia. Examples can include not acknowledging a medical problem that requires attention or wearing heavy clothing on a hot day. Additionally, individuals with Dementia may have trouble knowing how to handle everyday problems, resulting in sometimes dangerous outcomes.