Six signs of Dementia

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Lethe200

Senior Member
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San Francisco Bay Area
Memory Loss Isn’t the Only Sign of Dementia
Here are five other common red flags to look out for.
Sept. 26, 2024 NY Times
[free link] Memory Loss Isn’t the Only Sign of Dementia

(excerpt)
Running red lights. Falling for scams. Shutting out friends. Memory loss is the most well-known symptom of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. But experts say there are other warning signs that can signal early brain changes — ones that are especially important for types of dementia where forgetfulness is not the primary symptom.

Just like occasional lapses in memory, these issues can also be attributed to other age- or health-related changes (or just a bad day), so experts emphasized that they aren’t necessarily red flags for dementia in isolation. But, especially in combination, they might be a sign that it’s time to see a doctor.
 

I visited some acquaintances on Saturday. They are sisters living in the same house. One has dementia very bad. The other sister told me the case worker gave her two weeks at the most and had noticed a "drastic decline" in her condition since the last visit.

I don't even think she knew who I was. I brought a gift, but she didn't acknowledge it. She just sat on the edge of the bed and looked agitated and confused. Finally the other sister opened it. Understandably, she seemed more appreciative. They had admired it when they visited me a while ago.

dolphin music box.jpg
 
I am sorry for the sisters that are going through this. The gift was so nice for them. Hang in there, once you are through this challenging time, you will feel very good about what you did for them. And the surviving sister will forever be thankful for your support during this time...
 
Lethe200 said:
Memory Loss Isn’t the Only Sign of Dementia
Here are five other common red flags to look out for.
Sept. 26, 2024 NY Times
[free link] Memory Loss Isn’t the Only Sign of Dementia

(excerpt)
Running red lights. Falling for scams. Shutting out friends. Memory loss is the most well-known symptom of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. But experts say there are other warning signs that can signal early brain changes — ones that are especially important for types of dementia where forgetfulness is not the primary symptom.

Just like occasional lapses in memory, these issues can also be attributed to other age- or health-related changes (or just a bad day), so experts emphasized that they aren’t necessarily red flags for dementia in isolation. But, especially in combination, they might be a sign that it’s time to see a doctor.
Click to expand...
 
Have you learned of any difference between long term memory loss and short term memory loss vis a vis dementia?
 
Olivia said:
Have you learned of any difference between long term memory loss and short term memory loss vis a vis dementia?
Click to expand...
As my dads dementia developed I would show him pictures of when he was a kid. He would smile and point at the pictures, especially if it was a picture with he and his family but he had no idea who I was. His short term memory was pretty much gone at that point. He would smile at the caretakers who took care of him , I'm guessing because he saw them on a daily basis but it was very rare when he would recognize me or my sisters. From what I have read that is rather common with those with dementia.

There were times I would show him pictures of the two of us that were taken thirty or forty years ago and he would respond. I often wondered if he recognized me in those pictures but had no idea that the same person was standing right in front of him. Eventually he seemed to have no memory at all but his short term memory was the first to go.
 
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One of the other things I recently discovered is that in the middle states of dementia, a common issue is "sundowner syndrome".

Here's what Google AI says about it:

Sundowning syndrome, also known as late-day confusion, is a group of symptoms that can occur in people with dementia in the late afternoon or early evening:

  • Behaviors: Pacing, wandering, rocking, shadowing, violence, crying, hiding objects
  • Emotions: Sadness, anxiety, fear, agitation, restlessness, irritability
  • Mental states: Confusion, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations
  • Sleep issues: Difficulty sleeping, increased napping during the day
  • Other: Emotional outbursts, stubbornness, trouble speaking and thinking clearly
Sundowning can occur at any stage of dementia, but is more common in the middle and later stages. It's not necessarily linked to the sun setting. Possible causes include:
    • Tiredness
    • Hunger
    • Pain or other unmet physical needs
    • Not enough exposure to sunlight during the day
    • Overstimulation during the day
    • Damage to the brain
 
Lethe200 said:
Memory Loss Isn’t the Only Sign of Dementia
Here are five other common red flags to look out for.
Sept. 26, 2024 NY Times
[free link] Memory Loss Isn’t the Only Sign of Dementia

(excerpt)
Running red lights. Falling for scams. Shutting out friends. Memory loss is the most well-known symptom of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. But experts say there are other warning signs that can signal early brain changes — ones that are especially important for types of dementia where forgetfulness is not the primary symptom.

Just like occasional lapses in memory, these issues can also be attributed to other age- or health-related changes (or just a bad day), so experts emphasized that they aren’t necessarily red flags for dementia in isolation. But, especially in combination, they might be a sign that it’s time to see a doctor.
Click to expand...
Very frustrating when people post certain websites - especially newspapers - that require a subscription in order to view the information.
 
Mizmo said:
I just cannot agree with most of those symptoms being signs of dementia
The ageing body and mind obviously cannot cope as it did so yes, certain areas of life have to slow down.
I can account for several of them but far from demented at age 91


View attachment 378384
Click to expand...
Have to agree with you. I'll be 91 next month and unless I slide under the table during November, I should be still plugging along come Christmas or at least I hope so. Bad knees and the loss of sight in one eye are my main problems. Attempting to fix the knees at this late date might be worse than just leaving them alone.

My wife's 88 and she still takes good care of me but has her own problems to deal with. We've been blessed with being together for 70 years now. Marrying her was by far the best choice I ever made. She's as sweet today as the day I met her - -that's never changed.
 
A person I know who used to be in the local seniors club (which has now disbanded) and with whom I am a FB friend, posted photos of her birthday party. I wouldn't have recognized her. She's much thinner than she used to be and her hair color and style changed. I know she's had some health problems lately, but it totally took me aback.
 
rwb said:
Very frustrating when people post certain websites - especially newspapers - that require a subscription in order to view the information.
Click to expand...
I agree 100%. Why post something when the general public cannot see it and who is going to subscribe to a newspaper just to read someone's 1 article?
 
Lethe200 said:
Memory Loss Isn’t the Only Sign of Dementia
Here are five other common red flags to look out for.
Sept. 26, 2024 NY Times
[free link] Memory Loss Isn’t the Only Sign of Dementia

(excerpt)
Running red lights. Falling for scams. Shutting out friends. Memory loss is the most well-known symptom of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. But experts say there are other warning signs that can signal early brain changes — ones that are especially important for types of dementia where forgetfulness is not the primary symptom.

Just like occasional lapses in memory, these issues can also be attributed to other age- or health-related changes (or just a bad day), so experts emphasized that they aren’t necessarily red flags for dementia in isolation. But, especially in combination, they might be a sign that it’s time to see a doctor.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for posting this.
Very much appreciated.
 

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