“What are the first symptoms of dementia? ”
I think my grandmother is already showing signs of dementia--like memory loss and forgetting where she placed her keys. But I'm not really too sure. She's still young, like in her late 60s, so I feel like she shouldn't be presenting with these symptoms. What are the early symptoms?
2 Answers
There are many signs/symptoms that we attribute to "early" dementia. Agitation, insomnia, getting lost while driving, difficulty finding words. Please refer to the Alzheimers Association website for further information.
There are normal changes with thinking and memory that occur with age. These include delayed processing speed, so it may take someone a couple extra seconds to think of what they want to say, or a persons name for example. This can also effect memory, for example we might put our keys down somewhere and temporarily forget where they are, but at some point we should be able to remember where they are. Anything in excess of this could be an early sign of dementia.
Regardless, I do recommend an evaluation by a geriatrician or other physician trained in cognitive health when there is any concern about memory or thinking. The earlier we can detect dementia, the better chance we have of managing it properly. Additionally, a complete cognitive evaluation may just show that your grandmother does not have early signs of dementia and this is just normal changes of thinking and memory that occur with aging, and you can be reassured that she is fine.
Regardless, I do recommend an evaluation by a geriatrician or other physician trained in cognitive health when there is any concern about memory or thinking. The earlier we can detect dementia, the better chance we have of managing it properly. Additionally, a complete cognitive evaluation may just show that your grandmother does not have early signs of dementia and this is just normal changes of thinking and memory that occur with aging, and you can be reassured that she is fine.
