How to Recognize Dementia in a Parent or Loved One

As people get older, the risk of dementia increases. While it’s a pretty common condition, many don’t get it, and it never affects two people in exactly the same way. Dementia can be difficult to recognize because some of the symptoms can be confused with other conditions.

Many older adults occasionally struggle with memory or experience some cognitive decline, but that doesn’t mean dementia is the underlying cause. How can you recognize dementia in your parents or loved ones? Please read on for a few helpful tips.

Struggling with Basic Tasks

People with dementia commonly struggle with basic tasks that used to pose no challenges, such as driving to a familiar destination or preparing daily meals. Maybe the older adult faces difficulty remembering which turns to make or all the ingredients to include in the dish.

Older adults may struggle with these, too. But it’s a warning sign. While it’s important to respect a person’s agency and sense of dignity, cognitive decline presents the possibility of physical danger, as it’s associated with a rise in accidents, falls, and loss of depth perception. 

There are nurturing, sophisticated homes for elderly with dementia that specialize in treating residents with the innate dignity they deserve while also caring for their physical wellbeing. They create calm, supportive physical and psychological atmospheres for residents, letting them socialize and be physically active in a nurturing environment that understands their conditions.

Trouble Conversing

Dementia patients may struggle to follow a dialogue and often get tongue-tied. Changes in their cognitive performance make it difficult to find the right word or keep up with what someone is telling them.

If you notice your parents or loved one struggling to finish sentences, take note. It’s not proof of dementia, but it’s a sign.

Agitation and Bad Moods

Cognitive declines can cause people’s moods to suffer. If you’re unsure of your surroundings or don’t recall how you got to where you are, feelings like paranoia, anxiety, and depression are natural. These feelings tend to increase when people leave their comfort zone or the place where they spend time.

Alzheimer’s and dementia are associated with negative mood swings. The link between Alzheimer’s and people suffering from depression is still being studied. People with dementia may struggle to describe their depression fully or accurately, adding another layer of difficulty in describing the extent of the problem precisely.

Watch for sudden mood changes, as this can be a common sign of dementia. 

Less Hunger to Socialize

Accepting cognitive decline can be extremely difficult for the person experiencing it and their loved ones. One common response is to withdraw from social settings to mask what they’re experiencing. Many people want to be remembered for how they were in their youth rather than be associated with the cognitive struggles they face in later years.

However, socializing can help mitigate the effects of cognitive decline. Humans are social creatures meant to talk to one another! If your parents or loved one is experiencing dementia, never stop speaking to them — it keeps the connection between you alive and helps them feel better.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are complex conditions that affect people in different ways. The above are some guidelines that may help, but it’s always best to speak to a medical professional to get a fuller diagnosis.

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