Dementia can present big challenges for us and our loved ones as we advance in age. While most people associate dementia with the gradual loss of memory over time, there’s a few other tell-tale symptoms to keep an eye out for.
By keeping on top of these symptoms, you’ll be in a good position to then seek extra assistance to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, including expert medical advice from your local doctor and professional dementia care services tailored to your unique circumstances.
The 5 signs of dementia: things to keep an eye out for
Managing dementia first requires a proper understanding of this condition and its classic symptoms. ‘Dementia’ isn’t a specific ailment but an umbrella term describing a wide range of conditions characterised by diminished memory, concentration and communication abilities as a result of ageing. Keeping in mind that everyone’s experience and care needs are different, there are a few early signs of dementia common across most people:
1. Memory loss
Forgetting your keys or missing the occasional appointment can happen to anyone – young and old. However, a person with dementia may become forgetful of even the most basic details, like a loved one’s name or a milestone date.
2. Difficulty completing everyday tasks
Another classic early sign of dementia is difficulty completing familiar everyday tasks that you once found easy, including preparing a meal, hanging washing on your clothesline or basic household cleaning. This can be caused by distraction or a loss of general motivation.
3. Difficulty communicating clearly
We’re all lost for words sometimes, yet a person with dementia may struggle to find the ‘right words’ more often than not. They may forget simple words or jumble up the order of words, making their sentences difficult for others to understand.
4. Loss of motivation
Keeping ourselves motivated and enthusiastic about everyday life can be difficult for the best of us sometimes. However, another classic symptom of dementia to keep an eye out for is a more general loss of motivation or initiative for activities you once found enjoyable, whether that be walking the dog, regular coffee catch ups with friends or reading a novel.
5. Mood swings
Feeling 100 per cent happy all the time just isn’t human, with everyone experiencing up and down moods as a natural part of daily life. Yet people experiencing dementia will typically experience mood swings that are much more rapid and disruptive than normal, often caused by the previously mentioned symptoms.
When to see your doctor
If you’ve been experiencing any of these early signs, from memory loss to mood swings, it’s always a good idea to make an appointment with your local doctor or GP who will refer to a specialist for the final diagnosis. A specialist is in the best position to refer you to external parties if need be, including experienced care providers like Absolute Care & Health.
In-home dementia care to help maintain a normal lifestyle
The good news is living with dementia doesn’t have to mean not living well! Whilst this condition does present considerable challenges for all involved, the field of dementia care has progressed remarkably in recent years.
At Absolute Care & Health we provide in-home dementia care that goes beyond assisting you with completing common everyday tasks.
Our professional caregivers who we carefully match you with will also help you to maintain an active lifestyle, boosting your sense of well-being and reducing the frustrations of dementia and ageing more generally. We’ll achieve this by first taking the time to properly understand your situation before putting you at the centre of your very own tailor-made care plan.
Get in touch about dementia care today
Keen to find out more? Let’s talk about the costs and benefits. We’d love to hear from you and our friendly team are always happy to help!
Find out how we can help you with simple, low cost, high quality dementia care. Have a chat with our experienced team on 03 9827 8899.
