4 Tell-Tale Signs That Your Loved One Has Dementia
by Tony Grant
Every stage in human life comes with unique changes, and it is by understanding these changes that you are better equipped to face them. This article focuses on a fairly common issue that may happen as people older, namely, dementia. This condition is characterized by increased forgetfulness, which can affect a person in several ways. While dementia is not a specific disease per se like Alzheimer's, it is marked by a change in the brain that distorts its normal functioning.
If you suspect that a loved one has dementia, please visit the nearest memory care facility before it worsens. In the meantime, here are symptoms exhibited by a person suffering from this condition:
Challenges Performing Normal Tasks
When your body is tired, you may lose some focus, even while doing something you're used to. However, this becomes more extreme for people who have dementia. For example, you may find that they can no longer prepare a meal by themselves because they either forget to add important ingredients or leave the food on the fire. In other cases, they may take longer than usual or fail to finish the task. If you observe any of these signs, it is likely time to talk to a professional from a memory care home.
Tendency to Repeat Stuff
Another symptom of dementia involves a lot of repetition. For example, a person suffering from this disorder may tell you the same story every time you meet, and this, coupled with other signs, can alert you that something is wrong. You may also notice that they repeatedly ask you the same question within a relatively short while. Again, these are early signs of dementia, so it is prudent to seek professional help promptly.
Getting Lost Often
If your loved one has shown any signs of dementia, it would be best if you do not leave them by themselves as they could wander away and get lost. This means you shouldn't even send them to take out the trash or go to the grocery store because they could wander off. Fortunately, in a memory care home, all patients' activities are monitored around the clock, so they are cared for and supervised at all times.
Changes in Personality
A loved one who was once bubbly and outgoing may suddenly not be so social anymore. They may even seem quiet, anxious, fearful, or confused. Moreover, you might observe that they are easily upset by things that would ordinarily not affect them.
The news that your loved one has dementia can be confusing and overwhelming. In many cases, it may be unsafe to continue living with them at home because they need specialized care. Therefore, it would help if you found an assisted living facility where they can be well taken care of by a team of experts.
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About Me
When you're facing putting your loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility, you want to make the best possible choice for your loved one. That can be difficult when you don't know much about the nursing homes in your area, or about what you should be looking for in a nursing home to begin with. It's a good idea to tour as many facilities in your area as possible to get an idea of which ones you like, but you still need to know what the signs of a good or bad nursing home are. I used to work as a kitchen assistant in long term care facilities, and I learned a lot about them during that time. I started this blog to share some of my insights into what makes a nursing home great, and how to spot problems in a facility that you're considering.