Early signs of Dementia

Intro
• In the early stages of Dementia, a person’s symptoms can be relatively mild and can often go unnoticed.
• There are several different types of Dementia. Depending on the type of Dementia, symptoms may vary.
• Dementia symptoms vary from person to person.
• At Right at Home [territory], we want to offer our expert knowledge to help you identify the early signs and symptoms of Dementia.

What is Dementia?
• Dementia is the term used to describe a group of symptoms that result from damage to the brain caused by different diseases such as; Alzheimer’s disease.
• Symptoms can vary depending on the part of the brain which is damaged.
• The most common type of Dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
• Some of the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are memory problems, becoming confused in unfamiliar settings, asking questions repetitively, difficulty finding the right words, difficulty with tasks and activities that require organisation and planning, becoming more withdrawn and anxious, difficulty with numbers and/or handling change in shops.

Symptoms of early Dementia
• Early symptoms can vary from person to person
• Some common early symptoms are memory loss, difficulty concentrating, finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, mood changes, being confused about time and place, challenges in planning or problem-solving, decreased or poor judgement.
• For more extensive information and guidance on the early signs and symptoms of Dementia, you can visit the Alzheimer’s Society website here.

Memory loss
• Memory loss is one of the most common early signs of Dementia
• Memory loss varies from person to person, especially in the early stages of Dementia, and can be quite gradual in terms of development.
• For people suffering from Dementia, memory loss can also affect their ability to carry out daily tasks.

Difficulty carrying out familiar tasks
• A person with Dementia may struggle to carry out familiar daily tasks, this can include preparing a meal, taking public transport, or going to the shops.

Mood changes
• Mood changes can be sudden and can occur for no apparent reason.
• In the early stages of Dementia, a person may also become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious.

Decreased or poor judgement
• Another common early symptom of Dementia is poor judgement.
• Poor judgement can result in a person having difficulty making the appropriate decisions for things such as, knowing what clothes to wear in cold weather.

Are you worried someone has Dementia?
• If someone you know is displaying any of the symptoms we have discussed, even if it is just one, you should encourage them to see a GP.
• You can find more information, advice, and support on the Alzheimer’s Society website here.
• Other online resources are available online and can offer valuable guidance and support if you or a loved one has Dementia. They include Dementia UK and the NHS website.
• In some cases, if Dementia is found early, its progress can be slowed down, allowing the person to maintain their mental function for longer.

How can we help?
• Our specialist team of CareGivers can support your loved ones to remain in the comfort of their own home whilst receiving the highest quality care.
• At Right at Home Maidenhead we are proud Dementia Friends. You can find out more information about the Dementia Friends initiative here.
• For more information about our homecare services, please contact a member of our friendly office team on 01628 200068.