Dementia impacts more than your memory, which means there are other ways to detect dementia besides memory loss. Some of those changes can be found in behavioral shifts from frequent falling, having financial difficulties, and/or the loss of empathy. Once you know what Dementia is, here are 17 warning signs to be on the lookout for.
17 Early Warning Signs of Dementia
We’ve pulled together 17 of the most common warning signs of dementia. This list is not exhaustive but should help you understand what kinds of things to watch out for.
- Falling frequently
- Disregard for the law/new criminal behaviors
- Easily distracted and often found staring
- Eating inedible objects
- Loss of common knowledge
- Loss of empathy and ability to connect with others
- Ignoring what would normally cause embarrassment
- Consistent short-term memory loss
- Compulsive, ritualistic behaviors
- Financial issues that seem irregular
- Difficulty performing common tasks
- Difficulty speaking
- Loss of higher-level verbal understanding/interpretation
- Frequent disorientation of time and place
- Loss of interest in family and friends
- Noticeably agitated and aggressive
- Inability to control rude or hateful remarks
If any of these things are happening to you or a loved one, make sure to keep a diary of the frequency. Share this information with your physician.
Knowing these early warning signs of dementia will aid you in watching out for your aging loved one. These are just what they sound like – warning signs. They do not immediately mean a diagnosis but should raise your awareness and prompt you to discuss with your loved one’s physician.
For more information on memory loss and diagnosing dementia, check out our blog series with National Award Winning Psychiatrist and author Dr. Bruce Kehr:
- Why Am I Experiencing Memory Loss?
- Why Am I Experiencing Memory Loss Part 2: Signs and Types of Dementia
- Why Am I Experiencing Memory Loss Part 3: Diagnosing Dementia
- Why Am I Experiencing Memory Loss Part 4: A Patient’s Story