The Most Common Symptoms Of Dementia In Seniors

If your mom or dad is living on their own it can be hard to tell if symptoms like forgetfulness are just part of getting older, or early symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Family caregivers often struggle to recognize early symptoms of dementia, especially if you’re not around your mom or dad every day.

When seniors have Alzheimer’s they can often continue living at home if they want to. Alzheimer’s home care, a type of specialty care that provides the extra support seniors with Alzheimer’s need, is available around the clock. So, if your mom or dad does have Alzheimer’s that doesn’t necessarily mean they need to leave their beloved home.

Your mom or dad’s risk of developing dementia increases every year, so it’s strongly recommended that your senior parent be screened for Alzheimer’s every year. But if you start to notice any of these common symptoms of dementia don’t wait. Make an appointment for your mom or dad to be screened now.

Memory Loss That Affects Daily Life

One of the earliest and most noticeable symptoms of dementia is memory loss. While it is normal to forget things once in a while, seniors with dementia may forget important information more often.

Your mom or dad may ask the same questions repeatedly, forget recent conversations, or struggle to remember important dates and events. They may also misplace things and be unable to retrace their steps to find them.

Difficulty with Problem-Solving and Planning

Seniors with dementia often struggle with tasks that require thinking ahead or following a plan. For example, your mom or dad may start to have trouble following a recipe, paying bills, or managing their medications.

Simple tasks that once seemed easy may now feel confusing or overwhelming. Some seniors may also struggle with numbers, making mistakes with finances or forgetting how to do basic math.

Confusion with Time or Place

People with dementia often become confused about time and location. They may forget what day, month, or year it is, or they may have trouble remembering where they are.

Your mom or dad may think they are living in the past, such as believing they are in their childhood home instead of their current one. They may also get lost in familiar places, like their own neighborhood or a grocery store.

This confusion can cause fear and anxiety, but your mom or dad may not want to tell you about their confusion because they don’t understand it or think it’s just part of aging.

Changes in Mood and Personality

Dementia can cause significant changes in mood and behavior. If your mom or dad is usually friendly and outgoing they may become withdrawn, irritable, or anxious.

They may also become easily upset, especially in situations that feel unfamiliar or confusing. Some people with dementia may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed or have trouble expressing their emotions.

Trouble with Speaking or Writing

Seniors with dementia often struggle to find the right words when speaking or writing. Your mom or dad may forget common words, repeat themselves, or stop in the middle of a sentence and not be able to finish a train of thought.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care in Cleveland, NC, contact the caring professionals at TenderHearted Home Care today. Call us at (704) 612-4132