Dementia is a term used to describe symptoms affecting a person’s memory, communication, analytical skills, and overall cognitive function. The condition has no cure, and the symptoms progress further affecting daily routine triggered by abrupt changes in mood and behavior. Many of the signs and symptoms of dementia tend to overlap with known neurological disorders, making it necessary for everyone to be aware of the 6 glaring signs of dementia discusses in this article.

Reduced cognitive abilities
The trouble with memory is one of the more common and prominent signs of dementia ranging from forgetting things more often or even recalling forgotten things at a later stage. Here, it is common for a person to experience serious inconsistencies when it comes to memory. Severe dementia can also prompt a person to ask questions repeatedly, even if they have already gotten the answer to their queries. Memory loss and reduced ability to analyze, compute and calculate are cognitive problems affecting daily routine as dementia progresses.

Abrupt personality changes
Dementia significantly affects personality as the symptoms worsen over time. Increased anxiety, confusion, and unexplained fear are all common signs triggered by a neurological disorder. Frequent mood swings, reduced interest in favorite activities, and irrational suspicion develop abruptly, triggering severe personality changes. These problems will gradually affect daily actions and speech. Personality changes also trigger poor decision-making, affected by a lack of reasonable judgment. Severe personality problems will ultimately affect a person’s ability to change and adapt to present scenarios as the condition progresses.

Disorientation of space and direction
Dementia also affects people’s ability to adjust, adapt, and manage their surrounding space. Disorientation is one of the common symptoms in the initial stages, where it becomes difficult for affected people to navigate. They tend to lose their sense of direction, struggle to find their way back home, experience difficulty gauging distance and following basic directions, and may even misplace their belongings. Day-to-day activities like walking or driving to the same supermarket or mall will become challenging with disorientation.

Language and speech problems
Problems with speech and communication develop right from the early stages. The affected person will have trouble putting together words, making sense of sentences grammatically, and will even struggle with basic communication. Forgetting words, speaking without comprehension, forgetting the names of everyday objects, and facing trouble describing everyday actions or situations are progressive signs of neurological disorders. For example, a person might forget the word ‘watch’ and refer to the accessory as a ‘hand clock’ and not a ‘wristwatch.’

Increased social detachment
Since the progressive condition affects cognitive control causing behavioral and speech problems, it can force people to detach themselves in fear of public embarrassment. In a social gathering, people with the condition might find it challenging to converse and shy out of the situation. This withdrawal worsens with time, forcing the affected person to choose isolation and solitude. The fear of not functioning normally in any social gathering will eventually overcome their confidence. These people only feel safe in the company of loved ones at home.

Repetitive actions and hoarding
Dementia will cause memory lapses making it difficult for the affected person to remember what they said or did previously. These actions could be just a few minutes old. Behavioral changes force a person to repeatedly pick up the same activity and hoard unnecessary items.

After identifying the signs of progressing dementia, it is crucial to schedule regular appointments with a licensed healthcare professional nearby to diagnose the condition and develop a management plan. Those diagnosed with progressive dementia might need comprehensive care. This could include treatment, supportive staff, lodging, meals, and other provisions. Many assisted living facilities have been specially designed to help improve the quality of life of such patients.