What Are The Early Signs Of Alzheimer’s And Dementia

Falling More Frequently Than You Used To

Constantly tripping over your own two feet? Everyone falls now and again, but frequent falling could be an early signal of Alzheimers disease, according to research. A study published in October 2021 in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience found that older adults who later develop Alzheimers disease are at higher risk for falls and other accidents in the years prior to their diagnosis than those who don’t have Alzheimers.

People will come into our office concerned because they forgot what was on their grocery list last week, but when their spouse says theyve fallen four times in the past year, thats a sign of a problem, says Rankin. Frequent falls may also be a symptom of other brain disorders, including progressive supranuclear palsy.

When To See A Gp

If you’re worried about your memory or think you may have dementia, it’s a good idea to see a GP.

If you’re worried about someone else’s memory problems, encourage them to make an appointment and perhaps suggest that you go along with them.

Memory problems are not just caused by dementia they can also be caused by depression, stress, medicines or other health problems.

A GP can carry out some simple checks to try to find out what the cause may be, and they can refer you to a specialist for more tests if necessary.

Read more about diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.

Page last reviewed: 05 July 2021 Next review due: 05 July 2024

Changes In Mood Or Emotion

The person may be more anxious, frightened or sad, and so at risk of depression. It is also common to become more irritable perhaps in frustration at lost abilities or easily upset. A person can often be more withdrawn, lack self-confidence and lose interest in hobbies or people.

Changes in behaviour are not common in early-stage dementia, other than in FTD. A person with behavioural variant FTD may lose their inhibitions and behave in socially inappropriate ways. They may also act impulsively and lose empathy for others.

Significant physical changes at this stage tend to be limited to DLB, where problems with movement are similar to Parkinsons disease. If someone with vascular or mixed dementia has a stroke, this can lead to weak limbs on one side.

Need help finding dementia information?Need help finding dementia information? .

Everybody forgets things from time to time. But if you or other people are noticing that memory problems are getting worse, or affecting everyday life, it could be a sign of dementia.

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Rapid And Unexplained Mood Swings And/or Depression

Mood and personality changes can be associated with early signs of dementia. This could include becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious, and your parent may find themselves getting easily upset in places they feel unsure about.

Some of the dementia symptoms NHS lists include:

• Increased anxiety
• Violent Mood Swings

For example, your parent may appear calm, then visibly upset, and then very angry in a matter of minutes. This is a significant sign of dementia anger and frustration specifically if its unprovoked.

Other physical signs include pacing, obsessing over minor details, agitation, fear, confusion, rage and feeling overwhelmed because theyre trying to make sense of a world thats now confusing to them.

This is different to: more typical age-related behaviours such as becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

Forgetfulness That Interferes With Daily Life

A person in the early stages of dementia will often forget things that he or she has recently learned, or forget important dates and events. He or she may increasingly rely on memory aids or family and friends for appointments. This is different from a typical age-related change where a person will sometimes forget names but remember them later.

Read Also: What Percentage Of People Get Dementia

Signs Of Mild Alzheimers Disease

In mild Alzheimers disease, a person may seem to be healthy but has more and more trouble making sense of the world around him or her. The realization that something is wrong often comes gradually to the person and his or her family. Problems can include:

• Poor judgment leading to bad decisions
• Loss of spontaneity and sense of initiative
• Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
• Repeating questions

• Increased sleeping
• Loss of bowel and bladder control

A common cause of death for people with Alzheimers disease is aspiration pneumonia. This type of pneumonia develops when a person cannot swallow properly and takes food or liquids into the lungs instead of air.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimers, though there are medicines that can treat the symptoms of the disease.

What Are The Early Signs Of Dementia In Women And Men

Generally, the most common early signs of dementia in men and women are similar. They may include typical symptoms like short-term memory loss, lack of concentration, and difficulty with familiar tasks.

Some types of dementia affect women more often than men and vice versa. Among the common types of dementia, men appear to be more likely than women to have Lewy body dementia and vascular dementia, according to a research review in Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience.

However, women are twice as likely to get Alzheimers, the leading cause of dementia. The fact that women simply live longer than men is a main reason theyre more likely to develop Alzheimers. But researchers are also exploring other possible links between sex and gender and the risk of Alzheimers.

Meanwhile, men and women are at equal risk of developing frontotemporal dementia, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Lastly, men and women can have different symptoms depending on the type of dementia. For instance, women with Alzheimers tend to experience depression more, while men are more likely to experience agitation, according to a research review in Psychiatric Times.

Recommended Reading: Final Stage Of Dementia What To Expect

Signs Of Dementia Where To Find Help

When your loved one is displaying troubling symptoms, a trip to a primary care physician is often the first step. But to get a definitive diagnosis, youll need to see a specialist such as a neurologist, geriatrician or geriatric psychiatrist.

If you cant find one, the National Institute on Aging recommends contacting the neurology department of a nearby medical school. Some hospitals also have clinics that focus on dementia.

Ailments can mimic dementia

Vitamin deficiencies

Specialists will want to know about the patients personal and family medical history. A close relative or relatives having had Alzheimers is a major risk factor.

Recent research suggests that a prevalence among even members of your extended family can increase your dementia risk. Doctors also will conduct physical and neurological exams to rule out other treatable causes for dementia symptoms.

Some of the methods that doctors use to diagnose dementia:

Cognitive and neuropsychological tests assess language and math skills, memory, problem-solving and other types of mental functioning.

Lab tests of blood and other fluids, including checking levels of various chemicals, hormones and vitamins, can help rule out nondementia causes for the symptoms.

Brain scans such as CT, MRI or PET imaging can spot changes in brain structure and function. These tests also can identify strokes, tumors and other problems that can cause dementia.

More on Dementia

Why You Should Make An Appointment Now

The sooner you know, the better. Starting treatment may help relieve symptoms and keep you independent longer.

It also helps you plan better. You can work out living arrangements, make financial and legal decisions, and build up your support network.

Show Sources

Alzheimerâs Association: â10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s,â âDiagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia,â âWhat Is Dementia?â

University of California San Francisco: âAlzheimer’s Disease Signs and Symptoms.â

National Institute on Aging: “Forgetfulness: Knowing When To Ask For Help.”

American Psychological Association: “Aging: When should I be concerned about a senior’s forgetfulness?”

Read Also: How Do Dementia Patients Die

Difficulty In Calculating Numbers And Handling Money Or Balancing The Cheque Book

Consistent financial problems and money struggles are high on the early signs of dementia checklist. These dementia symptoms include changes in an ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. This could include:

• Spending money more frivolously than usual
• Having difficult following a recipe with measurements
• Being uncharacteristically generous with money
• Struggling to keep track of monthly bills

If youre concerned about your parents ability to handle their finances, read our guide on protecting their legal and financial situation.

This is different to: common age-related issues such as missing a couple of debt repayments due to low income, making occasional errors with number calculations.

Forgetting How To Do Everyday Tasts

Your parent may start to find it hard to complete daily tasks, these might include the setting of a table, driving to a familiar location or remembering the rules of their favourite game.

Forgetting how to do everyday tasks or memory loss can be spotted in-person or by completing a Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam an early signs of dementia test which can be taken online.

However, this shouldnt be used as an official diagnostic tool you should always seek the advice of a GP. Other examples of forgetting how to do simple everyday tasks can include:

• Closing the fridge door
• Making a cup of tea or coffee
• Locking / closing the front door
• Managing a budget

Your parent may start to find it difficult to complete tasks they used to be able to do with ease. For example, if they used to be a fantastic baker, they may now find it hard to bake the sponge cake theyve made over and over again.

This is different to: more typical age-related forgetfulness such as needing help to record a tv programme or how to use the settings on a microwave oven.

Read Also: How Many Types Of Dementia Are There Nhs

Difficulty Finding The Right Words

Another early symptom of dementia is difficulty with communicating thoughts. A person with dementia may have a hard time explaining something or finding the right words to express themselves. They may also stop in the middle of a sentence and not know how to continue.

Having a conversation with a person who has dementia can be challenging, and it may take longer than usual for them to express their thoughts or feelings.

Mood And Personality Changes

Sudden changes in personality and mood swings are possible signs of dementia. Your family member could become fearful, paranoid, suspicious, depressed, or anxious.

Increased anger could also be a warning sign of dementia. If someone with dementia gets frustrated or overwhelmed, they could react with aggression. A normally calm, peaceful person who has dementia might:

Read:How to Handle Alzheimers Aggression

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Decreased Or Poor Judgement

Changes in decision-making or judgement might include dealing with money or paying less attention to keeping clean and groomed. This can be one of the more obvious parts of your observation list for early signs of dementia.

Look out for signs that your parent might not be looking after themselves the way they used to. They may forget to wash regularly, wear the same clothes continuously throughout the week, forget to brush their teeth, forget to brush their hair, shave or to visit the toilet.

Its vital to make sure your parent is keeping up with any regular appointments they may have. Make sure theyre keeping up with their health and hygiene routines with our guide to Keeping Healthy.

This is differentto: making a bad decision once in a while.

Impact On Families And Carers

In 2019, informal carers spent on average 5 hours per day providing care for people living with dementia. This can be overwhelming . Physical, emotional and financial pressures can cause great stress tofamilies and carers, and support is required from the health, social, financial and legal systems. Fifty percent of the global cost of dementia is attributed to informal care.

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Changes In Behaviour Judgement And Moods

Becoming quiet, withdrawn or restless or frustrated or angry can be early signs of dementia. Someone may develop repetitive behaviour for example, they ask the same question over and over again, do the same thing repeatedly or make multiple phone calls to the same person. They may become insecure and anxious or start hiding and losing items. They may withdraw from social activities or give up hobbies and interests they have enjoyed.

They may show poor judgement, for example putting summer clothes on in cold winter months, not knowing when a kettle is full or overfilling cups when making cold and hot drinks, putting a kettle on the hob or leaving a cooker on or tap running. Someone with dementia may become very emotional and experience rapid mood swings or become quieter and less emotional than usual.

Significance Of World Alzheimers Day 2022

As awareness of Alzheimers disease grew, Alzheimer Disease International was established in 1984. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 1994, the organisation declared the first annual observance of World Alzheimers Day. They chose September 21 as the annual date to mark the occasion. However, the first annual World Alzheimers Month was observed in 2021.

Each year on September 21, people all around the world celebrate World Alzheimers Day. This day was created to educate the public about the condition, its most frequent symptoms, and the dangers it poses.

The whole month of September is recognised as World Alzheimers Month in several nations.

Read Also: How Long Does Uti Dementia Last

You Can Recognise Alzheimers Disease By These Symptoms

In a lot of cases, dementia is connected to Alzheimers disease. No less than one in 14 people over 65 gets Alzheimers and for people over 85 that number is at one in six people. Its important to recognise the signals and symptoms at an early date.

Of all types of dementia, Alzheimers is the most common one.

What Are 10 Early Signs Of Dementia

Dementia affects people differently. Likewise, the beginning symptoms of dementia may vary from person to person. But there are common early warning signs to watch for. Looking for patterns of these behaviors may help you identify signs your parent may have dementia.

Your loved one should see a doctor if you notice any of the following 10 signs of dementia, according to the CDC. The doctor may run tests to determine what is causing your family members symptoms.

Read Also: How Can You Test For Dementia At Home

Early Signs And Symptoms Of Alzheimers

Dementias, such as Alzheimers, can cause memory loss severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning. Alzheimers, a degenerative disease of the brain, negatively affects memory, intelligence, and the ability to reason. There are several Alzheimers symptoms and indicators to look out for. Dont dismiss them if you come across any of them. Make time for a visit to the doctor.

Following are the most common Alzheimers disease symptoms:

1. Life-Disrupting Memory Loss

Alzheimers disease often manifests itself in the early stages of the person forgetting new knowledge. Other symptoms include a reluctance to change routines and an increased reliance on memory aids or family members to perform tasks that were once accomplished independently, among others.

2. Problem-Solving and Planning Difficulties

People with dementia may have trouble planning and following through on tasks or handling numbers. They can become confused when following a standard recipe or forget to pay a fee every month. They may be unable to focus for lengthy periods of time and find that even simple tasks now take considerably longer than they used to.

3. Problems Doing Routine Activities

Alzheimers patients sometimes struggle to do even the most basic of duties. There may be moments when individuals have problems doing things that used to be second nature to them, such as driving to a known area, making a grocery list, or remembering the rules of a beloved game.

7. Inability to Keep Track

What Age Does Dementia Start

Typically, dementia symptoms occur after age 65, and the risk of dementia increases with age. Though rare, even people in their 30s can start showing signs of Alzheimers, according to the National Institute on Aging. The age when someone can get dementia also varies depending on the type theyre experiencing.

Here are the age ranges of when some common forms of dementia are typically diagnosed.

• Alzheimers disease: Mid-60s
• Frontotemporal dementia: Between 45 and 64
• Lewy body dementia: After age 50
• Vascular dementia: Over age 65

If someone gets Alzheimers before their mid-60s, its considered to be early-onset dementia. The signs of early-onset dementia are similar to typical symptoms of dementia.

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Withdrawal From Social Activities

A person with dementia may become disinterested in socializing with other people in home life and at work.

They may become withdrawn and not talk with others or pay attention when others are speaking to them. Additionally, they might stop participating in hobbies, sports, or activities with other people.

Early Signs Of Dementia Checklist

Early onset dementia symptoms usually affect people in their 50s and early 60s. But is it really a dementia sign or is it just a something we do as we get older?

As dementia is a progressive neurological disorder, there are many dementia symptoms stages. The changes are gradual, and this may give your parent time to receive an early diagnosis and to slow down or prevent the progression.

Fortunately, early signs of dementia can be spotted before the symptoms make a big impact on day-to-day living and overall quality of life. For more information on the various stages of dementia, download our free guide, Taking the Fear Out of Dementia.

Sometimes dementia diagnosis can be difficult as there is no one simple test to carry out and early symptoms can be similar to the age-related changes listed above. Here are 10 early signs of Dementia to look out for.

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