5 Signs of Early Onset Dementia
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 [...]