Memory Loss? Having difficulty walking? The 10 warning signs of dementia to ensure an early diagnosis with medication

Dementia is a syndrome. Though dementia mostly affects older adults, it is not a part of normal ageing. Many people think that some of the early signs of dementia are part of normal ageing and tend to delay seeking medical attention, missing out on the golden opportunity for treatment. Here are 10 warning signs of dementia listed by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI):

1.Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities

It's normal for people to occasionally forget appointments, colleagues’ names or where they placed items. But it will come back after a while or after a reminder. However, a person living with dementia may forget things more often or may have difficulty recalling information that has recently been learned. As a result, people with dementia may ask repeated questions, make repeated purchases, or even forget that they have taken their medication and take it repeatedly, causing disruption to their daily lives.

2.Problems with planning or solving problems

A person with dementia may find it difficult to make decisions, solve problems, or deal with numbers. They find it hard to complete everyday tasks and cannot cope with unexpected events either.

3.Difficulty performing familiar tasks

A person living with dementia may have trouble completing tasks that have been familiar to them, such as a housewife forgetting how to prepare a meal or Maths teachers forgetting how to add and subtract numbers. It varies from person to person.

4.Disorientation to time and place

Have you ever forgotten what day of the week it is or can't find the way out in an unfamiliar place? It happens to all of us. People living with dementia confuse the dates, day and night, and can become lost on their own street, not knowing how they got there or how to get home. Therefore, if they want to go for a walk, they need to be accompanied by a family member or caregiver at all times.

5.Misplacing things and inability to find them back

Anyone can somehow have trouble remembering where they last put an object, but the situation for people with dementia is more frequent and exaggerated - they may put things in unusual or inappropriate places such as fruit in the wardrobe, slippers under the blanket, and hiding toilet paper everywhere. When people with dementia lose something, they cannot go back and look for it step by step, and often accuse others of stealing when they cannot find it.

6.Difficulty finding the right words and problems with writing

A person living with dementia may forget simple words or may substitute words such that what they are saying is difficult to understand. They may also have difficulties following a conversation or discussion which will be likely interrupted, repeated or impossible to go on.

7.Changes in mood and personality

As people get older, their moods and personalities may change a little. However, someone living with dementia can show stark and rapid mood swings – examples include being extremely suspicious, depressed, anxious, and irritable, uncontrollable speech, spitting, excessive extroversion, loss of self-control or reticence, fear of or dependence on a particular family member.

8.Impaired judgement

People with dementia often make poor decisions because of their poor judgement, such as being prone to traffic accidents or dangerous situations when driving, not able to read the traffic lights when crossing the road, or being gullible, e.g., they may pay large sums of money because they believe in the promotions of some sellers, or buy food that is not fresh, or lend money to strangers. They may not even be able to tell what to wear for the weather, such as wearing shorts in winter or cotton jackets or down coats in summer.

9.Withdrawal from work or social activities

People with dementia suddenly become passive, avoid many interactions, and appear to lose interest in activities, hobbies, sports and other things they used to enjoy. They will sit in front of the television for hours, sleep more than usual, and require cues and prompting to become involved. However, to slow down the progression of dementia, family members or caregivers can encourage those with early signs to participate in social activities.

10.Trouble with images or spatial relationships

People with dementia can have difficulty in reading, judging distances and determining colour or contrast. There is also a chance that they may not recognise themselves when looking in the mirror.

If you notice any of the above signs in your family, the next step is to talk to your doctor and arrange for a brain check soon. If dementia is diagnosed early, there could be treatment options to slow the progression of cognitive decline.