7 early signs of dementia to watch out for
Dementia is a broad term that refers to a collection of symptoms that may affect someone’s ability to think, remember, process information, or communicate. According to the World Health Organization, more than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, with ten million new cases diagnosed each year. Although the underlying causes of dementia may be varied, there are some key warning signs to watch out for. Seven early warning signs of dementia are: Subtle short-term memory changes A troubled memory is one of the earliest signs of dementia. Certain changes to short-term memory may include: Forgetting where they placed items Forgetting what they had for breakfast that morning Struggling to remember why they entered a particular room Forgetting about a given task Difficulty finding the right words A person with dementia may have a hard time explaining something or difficulty finding the right words to communicate their thoughts. Having a conversation with someone with dementia may be challenging and may even take a long time as they struggle to find the right words. Changes in mood Mood changes are also common with dementia. Depression is a common challenge in the early stages of dementia. Someone with dementia may also feel more fearful or anxious than before and may get upset if their routine changes.
