You know you might have dementia by noticing persistent memory loss (especially recent events), trouble with planning/problem-solving, getting lost, struggling with familiar tasks, language difficulties (finding words), poor judgment, personality/mood shifts, or withdrawal from activities, with these signs impacting daily life and differing from normal aging. It's crucial to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis, as these symptoms warrant medical investigation.
Five early signs of dementia include memory loss (especially recent events), difficulty with familiar tasks or problem-solving, confusion about time/place, trouble with words in speaking/writing, and changes in mood or personality, though signs vary and can be subtle, warranting a doctor's visit if noticed.
Early symptoms of dementia
memory problems, particularly remembering recent events. increasing confusion. reduced concentration. personality or behaviour changes.
Dementia behaviors stem from brain changes and include personality shifts, memory issues, mood swings (anxiety, depression, irritability), agitation, aggression, delusions, hallucinations, disinhibition (saying/doing inappropriate things), repetitive actions (pacing, fiddling), and sleep disturbances (sundowning). These symptoms are the disease, not the person, and often result from unmet needs, communication breakdowns, environmental triggers, or underlying pain, requiring patient redirection, routine, and focusing on comfort.
If someone you know is becoming increasingly forgetful, encourage them to see a GP to talk about the early signs of dementia. There are other reasons why someone might be experiencing memory loss.
The "2-finger test" for dementia involves an examiner showing a hand gesture (like interlocking index and middle fingers) and asking the patient to copy it, testing motor skills, visual memory, and coordination, as difficulties can signal early cognitive decline, but it's a screening tool, not a definitive diagnosis, prompting further medical evaluation. Other related tests include finger-tapping and finger-to-nose, looking for hesitation or misjudgment in movement.
The 10 warning signs of dementia include memory loss, difficulty with familiar tasks, confusion about time/place, trouble with language, poor judgment, misplacing things, personality changes, loss of initiative, and problems with visual/spatial skills, requiring professional assessment to distinguish from normal aging.
A recent meta-analysis revealed that higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness are consistent predictors of higher dementia risk, across dementia types, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia assessment methods, follow-up lengths, and countries (Aschwanden et al., 2021).
Physicians use diagnostic tools combined with medical history and other information, including neurological exams, cognitive and functional assessments, brain imaging (MRI, CT, PET) and cerebrospinal fluid or blood tests to make an accurate diagnosis.
The number one cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, responsible for 60-80% of cases, characterized by brain plaques (beta-amyloid protein) and tangles (tau protein) that damage nerve cells, leading to progressive memory and cognitive decline, though vascular dementia from blood vessel damage is also a significant factor.
Even though a person with dementia may end up sleeping more than a typical person of their age – even as much as 14–15 hours a day – it is unlikely to all be good quality sleep. Sleeping a lot can also be influenced by people's sleeping patterns before they had dementia, as some people need more sleep than others.
Our results confirm that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a substantially increased risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer disease.
8 Signs of Dementia That Aren't Memory Loss
There is no known cure, but early diagnosis and treatment can lead to better quality of life. Stay healthy with a good diet and regular exercise. Stay away from alcohol and other substances that may affect memory, thinking, and behavior.
Reduce your risk of dementia
The SAGE test is a short, self-administered evaluation that screens for early signs of memory or thinking problems like dementia. You take it on your own, at home or at your provider's office. It's simple and there's no studying needed. It can catch issues early.
For most people with Alzheimer's — those who have the late-onset variety — symptoms first appear in their mid-60s or later. When the disease develops before age 65, it's considered early-onset Alzheimer's, which can begin as early as a person's 30s, although this is rare.
The three golden rules of dementia communication, from the SPECAL method (Specialised Early Care for Alzheimer's), are: Don't ask direct questions, Listen to the person and learn from them, and Don't contradict, which aim to reduce distress by focusing on feelings and validating the person's reality rather than correcting facts, fostering connection and calm instead of confrontation.
Try to limit or avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
Current smoking also increases the risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Learn about alcohol use and your health. Quit smoking to reduce your risk dementia.
You can live with dementia for an average of 4 to 10 years after diagnosis, but this varies significantly, with some people living 20 years or more, depending on age, overall health, and dementia type, with Alzheimer's averaging 8-10 years and vascular dementia closer to 5 years. Factors like diagnosis stage, age, gender, other health conditions (e.g., heart disease, frailty), and dementia subtype greatly influence life expectancy, with people often succumbing to infections or complications rather than the disease itself.
Early symptoms of frontotemporal dementia may include: personality changes – reduced sensitivity to others' feelings, making people seem cold and unfeeling. lack of social awareness – making inappropriate jokes or showing a lack of tact, though some people may become very withdrawn and apathetic.
Sign 8: Changes in mood, personality and behaviour
But a person living with dementia may experience more severe changes. For example, they may quickly become tearful or upset for no obvious reason. They may be confused, fearful, suspicious and withdraw from others. They may act differently from what is normal for them.
Sleeping more than usual is a common symptom of vascular dementia, a type of dementia caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain. In addition, dementia caused by Parkinson's disease or Lewy bodies may cause someone to sleep more during the day and restlessly at night.
Smoking, low physical activity, and a poor diet are all lifestyle and environmental influences that have been linked to rapid dementia decline. Physical activity promotes cardiovascular health, which in turn improves brain function. Those who lead a sedentary lifestyle may experience faster cognitive decline.