Signs Not to Ignore Dementia versus

SIGNS NOT TO IGNORE:

DEMENTIA VERSUS NORMAL AGING

If you’ve found yourself worried about whether or not a loved one might be showing signs of dementia, you aren’t alone. Distinguishing between dementia indicators and normal aging factors can be tricky, and it’s important to know the difference to avoid adding any unnecessary stress or worry to the situation.

Afterall, is rushing mom off to the doctor because she called you your sibling’s name—maybe even the family dog’s name once…or twice—the right next step or even a cause for alarm?

DEMENTIA OR AGING: THE SIGNS

The Alzheimer’s Society notes six different abilities and how they may be impacted by normal aging compared to possible changes due to dementia. We’ll cover all six and highlight a few of the differences between the impact of dementia or aging on those abilities.

1. SHORT TERM MEMORY & LEARNING NEW INFORMATION

Normal aging can impact short-term memory and the learning process by causing one to falter or struggle to remember

something commonplace. Forgetting about an appointment or misplacing the phone are all traditionally normal occurrences for many as they age. Dementia can impact short-term memory in a bit more comprehensive way. Forgetting the names of loved ones or close friends or being unable to recall who you had lunch with earlier that day can be cause for added concern. Similarly, misplacing the phone or keys in illogical places, like the bathroom cabinet or freezer, may be signs worthy of more attention.

2. DECISION MAKING & PROBLEM SOLVING

As we age, many people struggle to juggle multiple tasks at once, take a bit more time to process decisions or information, and occasionally make mistakes when completing everyday tasks. People who are impacted by dementia, however, might make

frequent mistakes when completing tasks like cooking or cleaning, struggle to concentrate for very long, and get confused more often. If your loved one finds it difficult to comprehend finances or gauge the severity of everyday risk, these may be signs of a more serious issue.

3. LANGUAGE

Struggling to remember the right word or keep up with a conversation where many people are talking at once is pretty normal for people of all ages, especially those who are older. Though if any of these things happen on a frequent basis, it could be a sign of dementia. Regularly referring to items using words like “that” or “this” may signal to you that something more serious is at play.

4. ORIENTATION

If your loved one occasionally needs to be reminded of the date or day of the week, this isn’t necessarily cause for worry. But if they struggle to recall what the season is or need daily reminders about the date, it may be time to address these issues. Another common characteristic of those impacted by dementia is feeling unsure of their surroundings when in an otherwise familiar place—like at home.

5. VISION & PERCEPTUAL SKILLS

A common complaint among older adults is they have difficulty seeing as well as they used to, often impacted by cloudy vision or worsened eyesight. But struggling with depth perception when doing things like reaching for a door handle or climbing the stairs should be addressed by a doctor as these challenges go beyond the boundaries of worsened eyesight.

6. MOOD & BEHAVIOR

Feeling stressed out or blue about life’s challenges or getting upset when plans don’t play out as expected is normal, especially as we age. If your loved one seems to become withdrawn or uninterested in their hobbies and friends, this could be a signal for greater concern. Similarly, being extremely sad or scared for seemingly no reason, or as a result of relatively ordinary challenges, could be related to dementia. WHEN IN DOUBT, TRUST THE PROFESSIONALS As your loved ones age, it’s likely you’ll face challenges discerning whether or not their behavior is a symptom of something more drastic than old age, and that’s no easy task. While we often feel responsible for the well-being of those around us, remember it isn’t your job to diagnose them beyond your capabilities—unless, of course, you’re a neurologist. Not the case? Trust a professional to give your loved one the best care possible and address the needs that cause concern. TakeFive Feel less stressed in minutes. Set a timer for 5 minutes and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths releasing any tension in your body and imagining it melt away.

Focus on a fivecount breath: • Slowly inhale from the belly • Then into ribs • Then into chest • Up into crown of the head • Then gently hold the breath for the fifth count

On the exhale, reverse for another count of five. This time start from the top of your head and move down to the chest, ribs, belly, pausing on that last bit of breath out of the body, and then repeat from the beginning.