Dementia can be scary even to think about, especially as most kinds of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, currently have no cure and few treatments. Often, dementia is missed until the person shows classic, advanced symptoms such as significant memory loss, confusion, and wandering.
However, there are more things that can be done if dementia is spotted early. Early symptoms can be subtle and may not be things we typically associate with dementia. Also, in some cases, dementia-like symptoms can be caused by treatable problems such as thyroid issues or hormonal imbalances during menopause. If you suspect that a loved one has dementia in western Pennsylvania, Quality Life Services offers a variety of options for their care, so contact us if you need help.
Early Signs of Dementia
Memory loss is considered a classic sign of dementia. In the early stages, this often means things like forgetting where you put something, forgetting a familiar person’s name, etc. We all have these lapses sometimes, but if they start happening regularly and routinely, this is cause for concern. Other early signs include:
- Increased clumsiness. People with dementia fall more often than people without, and frequently falling or tripping over your own feet can be an indication of other issues.
- Difficulty following storylines in a TV show or playing complex games. Other signs could include needing to pause the TV to catch up on what is going on or constantly needing to be reminded of the rules of a familiar game.
- Apathy. This might be mistaken for depression, but people in the early stages of dementia may lose interest in hobbies or activities or lose interest in spending time with friends and family.
- Disregarding social norms. Some people are that way from the start; they struggle with rules and with behaving correctly. However, if somebody suddenly starts acting out, then it might be a sign of dementia.
- Losing your ability to manage money. Difficulty balancing a checkbook, keeping up with bills, or making sound financial decisions is all a sign something might need to be corrected.
- Repetitive behavior. Doing something you already did, asking a question you asked a few minutes before, or obsessively checking lights and locks. (This can also be a sign of stress or depression).
Many of these signs can indicate other issues, too.
If you believe you or a loved one might be exhibiting symptoms of dementia, Quality Life Services advises you to seek the help of a medical professional.
What Can You Do If Someone You Know Has Dementia
First of all, don’t neglect yourself to protect or help them. Practice good self-care to keep your own stress levels down. With proper treatment, your loved one may be able to live on their own for some time, perhaps with personal care services. Don’t try to do it all yourself. Society often puts a lot of pressure on us to do that, but people with dementia need professional help.
As the disease progresses, your loved one may no longer be able to live independently. A personal care facility is a good option for otherwise healthy people experiencing cognitive decline. It’s cheaper than a nursing home because your loved one doesn’t yet require full-time nursing care, but they can get care as needed. They will also get to participate in suitable social and recreational activities.
Eventually, they will likely have to move to a skilled nursing facility to get full-time care or to a specialist memory care unit.
There’s Help for Dementia!
At Quality Life Services we provide high-quality personal care facilities ideal for people experiencing cognitive decline. We are family-owned and operated and pride ourselves on our value based culture. Our goal is for our employees to carry on these core values for you and your loved ones personal care. Call us today at 724-431-0770 to find out more!
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