Signs of dementia you should never ignore and habits you should start today to prevent it before it’s too late

Dementia is not one disease but rather a general term used to describe several disorders cognitive skills, and regularity in everyday activities. It is true that dementia is a common problem among elderly individuals; however, it is far from being a natural occurrence that comes along with aging.

According to thedementia is one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among the global senior population. Millions of people suffer from dementia each year.

A gradual nature of the disease poses a serious challenge to timely detection. In the initial stage, changes in cognitive functions are often overlooked because of their mildness. They can easily be explained by fatigue, stress, and forgetfulness typical of old age. However, recognizing the early symptoms can significantly improve the quality of life of a patient.

Taking into account the latest findings in clinical practice and the recommendations of specialists in the medical field, here are the 10 earliest warning signs of dementia.

Memory loss impairing daily activities

Perhaps the most immediate warning sign is memory loss severe enough to interfere with everyday activities. This doesn’t involve forgetting things like where you left your car parked, but rather problems like:

Failure to recall recent conversations or significant occurrences

Repetition of questions

Reliance on post-it notes and families to keep track of minor details

As mentioned forgetting short-term information tends to be one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.

Difficulty planning and problem solving

At its onset, dementia could disrupt the executive functions of the brain that are responsible for managing activities. The symptoms include troubles with following a well-known recipe or set of instructions, tracking monthly payments or finances in general, remaining concentrated on tasks that the person has repeated many times.

The inability to manage and plan tasks indicates deterioration in the frontal and temporal regions of the brain.

Confusion about time or place

It is common among early symptoms for a person to be confused about when something happens or where they are. These cases usually involve: not remembering what day it is, being unable to recognize seasons or time intervals, or feeling lost at home.

The confusion about place and time is a classic feature used in the diagnoses of dementia.

Difficulty comprehending visual and spatial information

People with dementia may experience changes in their brain’s interpretation of visual information and spatial relationships. They may face: problems in judging distance (increasing the danger of driving), difficulties in reading or tracking lines of text, problems recognizing familiar faces, objects, or geographical locations.

Visual and spatial deficits have been found to develop relatively early in particular forms of dementia, according to studies by the National Institute on Aging.

Difficulty communicating

Naming a commonly used item becomes increasingly difficult, such as calling a watch a “hand-clock.” In addition, people with dementia may experience: repetition of certain phrases, and being unable to complete thoughts or sentences.

These problems are often mild at first but eventually become noticeable.

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

While everyone occasionally misplaces their keys, forgetting due to dementia is not the same. It usually includes: placing things in odd places (for example, putting a phone inside a freezer), accusing people of stealing objects when they can’t find them, inability to “retrace one’s footsteps” to retrieve a misplaced object.

This situation tends to become extremely infuriating for both those who suffer from the condition and their family members.

Bad judgement and poor decision-making

Dementia may affect the sufferer’s rational thought process and good judgment. For instance: unusual and risky behavior when handling finances (giving money to telemarketers), abruptly becoming unhygienic or unkempt, failure to assess risk factors (walking into the path of traffic or forgetting about an appliance on the stove).

Changes in decision-making abilities tend to stem from changes in the brain’s frontal lobe.

Withdrawal from work and social events

Many people in the early stages of dementia will find themselves withdrawing from their usual activities. This may include: loss of interest in previous hobbies, not attending any parties or family events, no longer attempting to follow games and group discussions.

However, despite these behaviors seeming like depression at first glance, they can also be considered reactions to stress from cognitive impairment.

Mood or personality changes

Occasionally, one of the symptoms of early-stage dementia is a change in the “way a person acts.” These signs can include: experiencing fearfulness, suspicion, or paranoia, swinging between moods quickly or becoming easily irritable, or displaying uncharacteristic fears and/or agitation.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the way dementia affects the brain can fundamentally change how a person regulates their emotions and personality.

Difficulty in following conversation or thought process

Being able to engage in a conversation or understand new information may prove difficult and mentally tiring. Examples are: finding it hard to grasp the flow of conversation, finding it difficult to follow conversations with multiple speakers, taking an unusually long time to respond to an easy question.

These symptoms are initially mild but become more noticeable with time.

Why early detection matters

Catching it early is a game-changer because it gives families the breathing room to:

• Start treatments that might help put the brakes on how fast symptoms get worse
• Get a head start on planning for the future while everyone can still weigh in
• Lean into lifestyle habits—like diet and exercise—that actually protect the brain
• Look into clinical trials or join communities that offer real support

Even though a total cure doesn’t exist for most types of dementia yet, stepping in early can make a massive difference in how someone lives their life day to day.

Living with Alzheimer or dementia isn’t just hard for the person suffering from it but for those around them as well. Seeing a loved one struggling to remember things clearly is simply heartbreaking and everyone who has a relative with either of these two conditions knows the pain all too well.

The good thing is that medicine is evolving with each passing day and we never know when the cure for some of the diseases and conditions of today will be found. One thing is certain, we should never lose hope.

Researchers and scientists believe these 9 habits can help us protect our brain from Alzheimer’s and dementia.

1. Quit smoking

Most of the people who enjoy smoking are aware of the negative consequences of this habit. Smoking doesn’t only affect the skin, but the brain as well. Researchers say that smokers run a 45 percent higher risk of getting Alzheimer’s compared to non-smokers.

2. Increase your vitamin B12 intake

Recent researches done at a medical institution in Finland speak of the correlation of Alzheimer’s and dementia and the deficiency of B12. That is one reason why you should start eating more food containing this important vitamin such as eggs, seafood, fish, and meat.

 

3. Be more active

Exercising for at least half an hour a day can affect your  health positively. Not only you’ll feel fresher and younger, but you’ll help decrease the chances of suffering from dementia. Exercise helps keep your brain in shape as well, not just your body.

4. Increase your Vitamin D intake

Over the years, more and more importance is given to the vitamin D. A study conducted in the US back in 2014 showed that the deficiency of this vitamin can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s by 125 percent.

If you want to increase your daily intake of this vitamin just spend more time on the sun. If that’s not an option, take some supplements.

5. Drink coffee

If you are one of those people who can’t imagine starting their day without a cup of coffee, than you are at the same time lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 50 percent.

This drink plays the role of an antioxidant.

6. Protect your head

Studies suggest that bad head injuries can later lead to developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. That is why make sure you keep your head safe at all times, especially when you’re riding a bike or motorcycle. Never do it without a helmet.

7. Minimize alcohol intake

If you drink alcohol every now and then remember that consuming too much of it can negatively affect the normal functioning of the brain thus lead to dementia or Alzheimer’s. Of course, you can always have a glass of wine as it is said to keep you healthy.

8. Brain exercises are great

Our brain should be stimulated at all times. In case you wonder how to do it, here’s a tip. Read a lot, or solve crosswords and Sudoku whenever possible. Learning new things make the brain put an extra effort in remembering them, so that boosts memory.

9. Make sure to relax and rest!

Stress can cause dementia and no matter how hard it is to avoid stressful situations, do everything to do exactly that. Take rest often and make sure your brain and body get enough sleep.

*Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you notice symptoms of dementia or have concerns about cognitive health, consult a qualified healthcare professional.