How Do I Know if I (or someone I love) Has Dementia...and What Should I Do?

Q. How do I know if I (or someone I love) has Dementia … and what should I do?

A. If this article is of interest to you, I can imagine it is a worrisome question to be considering. For starters, don’t assume the worst because most memory changes associated with ageing are not due to dementia.

There are a number of conditions other than dementia that also interfere with normal brain function. For example, depression, medication toxicity and infections in the body sometimes affect us like dementia if left unrecognized and untreated. 

Dementia is an ‘umbrella-term’ that describes a failure of the brain to function normally interfering with daily living. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. Memory loss, changes in mood and personality are commonly experienced and reported.

Here are some of the most common problems that people with early signs of dementia can experience:

• Difficulty recalling most newly-learned information, especially recent events or simple directions
• Difficulty completing common tasks
• Difficulty with language such as speaking and using unusual substitute words in place of those that cannot be remembered
• Difficulty with activities that require planning, decision making, and judgment
• Difficulty performing complex mental tasks such as telling time from an analog clock
• Constantly misplacing things or putting items away in strange places
• Displaying changes in personality or mood
• Overall loss of initiative

Becoming disorientated in time and space
It is important to know that dementia is not a ‘normal’ part of aging. If you or a loved one is noticing changes in brain function for any reason, there are good reasons for seeing a Doctor because the sooner these changes are evaluated, the earlier treatment can begin.  If dementia is diagnosed, it has been found that early treatment does assist in slowing down the progression of the disease. There can be a temptation to hide these changes as for fear of becoming stigmatized or of losing independence too quickly, but as more is learned and shared by people living with dementia, we learn that it is very possible to live vibrant healthy and fulfilling lives with this disease, while also getting the support we require.
The Alzheimer Society is an excellent place to go for great information and to find a place of support on the dementia journey.

This article has been provided by Laurie Duke, RN, CPCA. Laurie is a registered nurse who has worked in the field of geriatric psychiatry since 1993.