• Home
  • What’s On
  • Press
  • Podcast
  • About
  • Donate
Dementia Cafe

Friends of the Humane League,
The Dementia Cafe proudly supports The Humane League's work helping farm animals and promoting a vegan diet.
What Are The Early Signs Of Dementia?
Dementia, Dementia awareness 0

What Are The Early Signs Of Dementia?

By Kirsty Braik-Scivyer · On December 5, 2017

At the DC we usually tend to focus on topics that are relevant post-diagnosis, like the varying types of dementia. However, it’s just as important to look at what happens pre-diagnosis such as memory tests, routine check-ups and how you can differentiate between a ‘whoops’ moment and what could be a symptom of something more serious.  With that in mind we’ve included a handy Alzheimer’s Disease International info-graphic of early signs, and symptoms of dementia which you can check out below:

What Are The Early Signs Of Dementia?

Photo Credit: Alzheimer’s Disease International

Lots of people, especially when it comes to their health, tend to put off until tomorrow what they could do today but when it comes to dementia it really is a case of sooner is better. You may have nothing to worry about, but if you fit the diagnostic criteria for dementia, i.e. are over sixty-five, have genetic factors and enjoy a less than healthy lifestyle booking an appointment with your GP may be a good idea.

Your doctor will probably take a detailed medical history, so if you are having trouble recalling things it may be best to have someone with you but any previous treatments or issues should be in your records. They will also give you a physical examination to check that you haven’t injured yourself in some way which might be contributing to your physical symptoms.

What Are The Early Signs Of Dementia?

Photo Credit: Care One

While diagnosing dementia isn’t an exact science, a lot of data can be gathered from someone answering a few simple questions. In fact, it’s then possible to rule out things like depression, anxiety, delirium, caused by infection, and a change in medication. Further to this, your doctor may order a set of blood tests to dismiss other underlying causes such as untreated diabetes that’s making you feel weak, sleepy or sick. One of the easiest ways to check if someone is experiencing signs of early-onset dementia is to ask them about everyday activities. For instance, someone with no memory problems should be able to say what they ate and drank in 24 hours, what clothes they wore, where they went and so on.

If you find that you’re struggling with simple everyday tasks like washing, dressing and cooking as well as more complicated ones like paying bills then you may be referred to a specialist. Try not to worry too much if this is the case as dementia specialists, often based at memory clinics, are usually kind, understanding and informative. Not only that but they should be be able to advise you, or your loved one on what happens next. Once the clinic has received your diagnosis then you have the option or not of whether to hear it. Bear in mind that medical jargon can often make things sound much worse than they are, so your doctor should be able to explain it all in clear, simple terms.

What Are The Early Signs Of Dementia?

Photo Credit: Anchor Trust

This conversation should cover what type of dementia you’ve got and some details about symptoms, and how you may feel in the next few weeks, and months. They’ll also be able to suggest treatment options and give you information on what support services/dementia meetups are in your area. It’s highly likely you will also be given a booklet, or some form of written documentation too but only read this when you feel able to do so.

You may have to disclose your diagnosis to your company’s occupational health team if you’re still working but you can share as much, or as little, with friends, family and loved ones as you want. You may also be tempted to ‘Google’ for advice and support but there’s quite a lot of misinformation on dementia out there so at the start it’s good to stick to approved charities/organisations like Dementia UK and do feel free to look through some of the Dementia Cafe’s articles too!

Alzheimer's Disease Internationaldementia awarenessDementia CafeEarly Onset DementiaEarly Signs of DementiaMemory ClinicSigns Of DementiaThe Dementia Cafe
Share Tweet
mm

Kirsty Braik-Scivyer

You Might Also Like

  • Bath Toys & Dementia Dementia

    Bath Toys & Dementia

  • Cutlery & Dementia Dementia

    Cutlery & Dementia

  • Dehydration & Dementia: Smoothies & Puréed Drinks Dementia

    Dehydration & Dementia: Smoothies & Puréed Drinks

No Comments

Leave a reply Cancel reply

…
Follow @cafe_dementia
Follow on Instagram
Follow dementiacafe

Calendar

January 2021
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Feb    

Archvies

  • February 2019
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • Home
  • What’s On
  • Press
  • Podcast
  • About
  • Donate

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

3rd Party Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!