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Identifying the Early Signs of Dementia

memory care professional helping female senior citizen assemble puzzle pieces while identifying the early sings of dementia

When facing a dementia diagnosis, getting the proper memory care is crucial. That’s why choosing the right assisted living facility for yourself, or your loved one should be one of your top priorities. 

Understanding the early signs of dementia is a crucial part of this process. The sooner you notice the development of dementia, the sooner your doctor will be able to create an effective treatment plan and recommend preventive measures to follow — and you will be able to choose an assisted living facility that best fits your specific needs.

Westminster Place is proud to offer top-of-the-line memory care at our facility, among many other amenities that keep our seniors happy and healthy. Contact us today by calling 903.329.6520 or visiting our website to learn more.

What Are the Warning Signs of Dementia?

Whether you’re on the lookout for early indicators of dementia in yourself or you think a dementia diagnosis might be in the future for a loved one, there are a few warning signs you can keep your eye out for. These issues might be more or less significant depending on how early a person is in their dementia.  

Disorientation

One of the early signs of dementia is a sense of disorientation when it comes to their surroundings, the time of day, or even certain facts about themselves or others. 

Some examples of disorientation include:

  • Getting lost in previously familiar places 
  • The inability to get their bearings
  • Forgetting the date
  • The inability to tell the time

These are likely signs of early dementia. Depending on the person and the stage of their dementia, this sense of disorientation could create confusion for the person or cause them to get frustrated at their inability to remember something.

Speech Issues

Early indicators of dementia can also include confused speech or the inability to recall the right word to describe something. If your loved one is using words within sentences that don’t match or make sense without noticing or having trouble remembering common words, they may be in the early stages of dementia.

Memory Loss

Much like how seniors in the early stages of dementia can get confused and lost in previously familiar places, they can also experience the loss or confusion of previously clear memories. This could include an old memory from their youth or something as recent as the memory of how to brush their teeth or lock the door.

Mood or Personality Changes

One of the most upsetting warning signs of dementia for family members can be the personality changes or mood shifts that often come with the condition. 

For most people, these temperament changes can result from their frustration with their changing mental state, but the dementia itself can also be at fault when it comes to shifting moods and changes in demeanor.

Loss of Interest in Activities

Just like a person’s personality and moods may change when going through dementia, their interests may shift as well. One of the most common early signs of dementia is a loss of interest in activities or chores that the person once enjoyed doing or felt a sense of responsibility in performing. 

This could include anything from spending time with friends and family to performing daily household chores.

When It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living

Some people can continue to live independently in the early stages of dementia if they have a diagnosis and care plan. However, their family members and loved ones should check in regularly and help them transition to assisted living if they can no longer care for themselves properly.

Trust the Experts at Westminster Place with Memory Care

You don’t have to face your dementia diagnosis alone. You can trust our skilled team and specialized memory care facility at Westminster Place to give you or your loved one the care you need. Call us at 903.329.6520 or complete our online form to get started.