Early Signs and Symptoms of Dementia

Dementia is an umbrella term that refers to a range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disease (such as strokes), Lewy body disease, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. 

These conditions and diseases affect the brain and interfere with how brain cells communicate, causing the symptoms associated with dementia such as memory loss, difficulty communicating, and changes in mood and behaviour.

Experiencing changes in memory and cognitive skills is a common part of ageing, making it difficult to pick up on the warning signs of dementia. But noticing these early symptoms and getting help from a healthcare professional is the first step to ensuring you or your loved one can continue living well with the support they need.

According to Dementia UK, around a third of people with Parkinson’s will go on to develop dementia which is known as ‘Parkinson’s with dementia’ or ‘Parkison’s disease dementia’ (PDD).

Parkinson’s disease primarily impacts movement, but some people living with Parkinson’s start experiencing problems with:

• Thinking
• Memory
• Perception

These symptoms may be mild, but if it seems as though these symptoms are worsening it could be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease dementia. Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease dementia include:

• Issues with staying focused
• Issues with decision-making
• Memory loss
• Disturbed sleep and problems staying awake
• Hallucinations or delusions
• Changes in mood
• Changes in appetite 

If you believe you may have some early symptoms of Parkinson’s with dementia, it’s important to seek professional advice as some medications used to treat Parkinson’s can worsen the symptoms of dementia.

According to a study from Alzheimer’s Society, more than half of people put off seeing a doctor for up to a year before getting a dementia diagnosis. Many people avoid talking about their symptoms with a healthcare professional because they’re scared of finding out they have a condition. 

However, taking an active approach and receiving an earlier diagnosis can be beneficial in many ways. These benefits include:

• Access to treatments and healthcare that can reduce symptoms and slow the progress of the disease
• Access to support and advice that can improve quality of life
• The ability to plan for the future and make informed decisions
• The opportunity for you and your family understand why symptoms are presenting and help alleviate worries
• You can start taking control of your own health and care decisions

At Right at Home, we understand the worry and anxiety that a potential dementia diagnosis can cause for you and your family, but with early diagnosis and the right support, you can take an active role in managing your condition. For example, before symptoms worsen, you can let your family know if you would prefer residential care, or to receive support in your own home, or other wishes for the future.

One of our Clients, Kevin, started forgetting how to carry out daily tasks that he had been doing for his whole life due to Alzheimer’s disease, including how to make a cup of tea. But with the right support from our reliable team of Carers he was able to relearn this skill. They encouraged him and provided him with a laminated note breaking down each step until he could once again carry out the task unassisted, giving him back his self-confidence.

As we age, it’s natural for our bodies and brains to change. It’s common to feel as though your memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be, or that it’s taking longer to learn or recall information. 

It can be hard to distinguish normal age-related changes from dementia as the symptoms can be similar. However age-related changes such as cognitive slowing and memory loss shouldn’t cause too much trouble in your daily life. For example, if you take longer to remember something but still get there in the end, this is an ordinary part of ageing and, while it can be annoying, it shouldn’t impact your life significantly.

Symptoms of dementia often affect your daily life more substantially. Someone with age-related memory loss may forget that they arranged to meet their friend at two in the afternoon, and only realise later in the day that they missed the appointment. On the other hand, someone with dementia symptoms may completely forget the conversation even took place when they agreed to meet up.

These are just examples, and there is a certain amount of crossover when it comes to age-related changes and dementia symptoms, so if you’re worried, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. 

At Right at Home, we take a holistic approach to dementia care at home, so we extend our support beyond our Clients and to their families as well. We believe this is a key part of delivering effective, compassionate dementia care that improves quality of life, whether your loved one is in the early stages or if their symptoms have progressed.

We support families of Clients living with dementia with:

• Regular updates: Our team will provide you with regular updates about how your loved one is getting on so you’re never left worrying, even when you can’t be there in person.
• Respite care: Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging so it’s imperative that families take care of their own wellbeing as well, so they can be there for their loved one when they need it most. We offer high-quality respite care that focuses on maintaining your loved ones usual routine to minimise disruption.
• Education and resources: We also provide families with the resources they need to effectively help their loved one. This includes education surrounding their loved one’s capabilities and practical tips for care and interaction. 
• Support: We build a meaningful relationship with both our Clients and their families so you always know you can reach out to a trusted contact at the office if you have any worries or need someone to talk to.