Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, can show up earlier in life – in a person’s forties or fifties. Here are the five signs of early onset dementia so that you can recognize them in your life or in the lives of those you love.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a general term used to describe struggles with memory, language, and problem-solving that are severe enough to interfere with everyday life. While many people associate dementia with memory, it impacts more than just that. It can alter a person’s behavior, ability to solve simple problems, and decision-making capabilities.
An example may be that your mom, who is in her early sixties, has been showing small signs of early onset dementia over the last decade. More than simply forgetting where her keys are, it could be that she made a series of sudden risky financial decisions, her mood (which used to be generally sunny in disposition) shifted so that she has more days feeling blue and/or irritable, and her ability to re-trace her steps has diminished over the years.
These may not necessarily be diagnosed as early onset dementia, but they are signs that point to an issue worth checking out.
Signs of Early Onset Dementia
If you think a family member or friend could be struggling with early onset dementia, a counselor in one of our offices can help you learn more.
1. Asking for the same information.
If you or your loved one asks for the same stories to be told or asks about your children’s after-school activities multiple times, it may be something to which you should pay attention and take note.
While asking for the same story to be re-told occasionally isn’t something to worry about, if your loved one asks detailed questions (the exact same ones) just start keeping track. Make a note on your phone when this happens so that you have an idea of how often it’s an issue.
2. Losing track of time, direction, and significant dates.
Not knowing your anniversary after thirty years may be cause for concern. Losing track of how you got somewhere, and when, is a skill that can decline as someone develops dementia, especially early on.
Early onset dementia is still something that many people, and even health care providers, don’t look for until at least age sixty-five. But research suggests that more people are showing signs of early onset dementia, which means people are sixty-five or younger when they first experience symptoms, especially in the baby boomer generation.
One issue with an expanding population of people who are diagnosed with early onset dementia is getting the health care they need and at an affordable price. Many who are diagnosed with early onset dementia have other health-related issues that can pose challenges.
Equally challenging is finding a doctor who accurately diagnoses the signs of early onset dementia. Because providers do not always look for dementia before a patient turns sixty-five, it can take months or even years to get an accurate diagnosis.
3. Difficulty solving problems.
Following a favorite family recipe or tracking expenses during and after a business trip are examples of problem-solving skills that can decrease as dementia sets in. If your family member has always traveled for work yet he or she is finding it difficult to plan a trip, that may be a reason to question if dementia is at play.
Typically, memory issues are common in just the general aging process. But problem-solving and long-term planning difficulties are not. Struggles using a calendar, remembering important dates, and planning for a long-term goal – such as a family vacation – might be signs of early onset dementia. Pay attention to your loved one’s reaction to these tasks as well.
If he or she tends to brush them off but typically enjoyed planning for long-term trips and vacations, it could be a sign that he or she knows something is amiss.
4. Trouble remembering things.
Everyone forgets things occasionally, and some people struggle more than others with memory. However, a routine sustained decline in the ability to remember things should be a red flag. Unfortunately, some doctors may diagnose a person with other ailments, such as stress, when someone reports difficulties remembering things. So journaling your symptoms is an effective tool for an accurate diagnosis.
If you find that you’re struggling to remember recent events in detail, particularly, taking notes on your phone may help you understand how often it’s happening.
5. Difficulty finding the name of something common or a person’s name.
Even among the signs of early onset dementia, a person can be at any stage of dementia (early, middle, or late). Not all dementia is caused by Alzheimer’s disease, but most who suffer from early onset dementia experience a variety of symptoms on the road to diagnosis.
One of those is recalling names of people they have known or finding a word mid-conversation. If you are in a conversation with someone who struggles repeatedly to identify the word they’re searching for, it’s important.
We all search for the appropriate adjective to describe something we’re explaining sometimes. But when a person can’t find the name of their cat, a favorite restaurant, or their favorite sports team, that is when they need to seek outside help.
How doctors diagnose early onset dementia
Health care providers will ask about your health history and what symptoms you may be experiencing. Based on that information, they can provide a series of cognitive tests. These tests evaluate memory and problem-solving skills.
At that point, the provider can order additional testing through a neuropsychologist. These are specialized doctors who evaluate the connection between our brains and our behavior. They conduct evaluations to help diagnose conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
But they can also evaluate many other mental health conditions relating to the brain and its relationship with movement. Examples include amnesia, Huntington’s disease, and traumatic brain injuries.
Computerized tomography (also known as a CT scan) and/or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may also be part of the overall diagnosis journey. These are tools that providers use to examine a person’s brain tissue to see what kind of damage there could be.
Common treatments
One of the obstacles to diagnosis may be that a person doesn’t want to know if he or she shows signs of early onset dementia. All too often, people think there is nothing they can do if they are diagnosed, but that’s not true. Common treatment options involve maintaining mental function, keeping behaviors well-controlled, and curbing the progression of the disease.
Some of these treatments are medicine, and others deal with mental and physical exercise. Doctors are finding that some cognitive training and increased physical wellness can help the signs of early onset dementia remain mild for months or even years.
You might wonder if discovering the signs of early onset dementia helps to delay the disease. While there is no known cure for dementia, some research suggests that being diagnosed early can lead to better treatment options.
There is still much research to be done, but if you or someone you love exhibits any signs of early onset dementia, seek help. Our offices have counselors who are trained to support and diagnose the condition and provide hope in the process.
The long-term prognosis for early onset dementia doesn’t have to be scary. Remaining positive, having supportive people around you, and taking care of yourself mentally and physically is important. Look for ways to express your emotions through hobbies such as art, and find an exercise habit you can maintain over time.
Even if you feel you’re managing symptoms well, it’s important to seek outside help when dealing with a diagnosis of dementia or when someone you love is diagnosed. Reach out to a professional counselor in our offices who can remain with you through the diagnosis and help you process the emotions that can come with it.
Whether it’s you or someone you love, a diagnosis of dementia has a significant mental and emotional impact. Let a counselor guide you through the next steps.
