What are the Early Signs of Dementia?

As we journey through life, particularly as we enter our 45–65+ years, it’s essential to stay vigilant about changes in our cognitive health. Dementia, a collective term for conditions characterised by the impairment of at least two brain functions, such as memory loss and judgement, is a concern for many.

Early awareness and understanding can lead to timely support, better management, and improved quality of life.

Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life

One of the most common early signs of dementia is memory loss, particularly forgetting recently learned information. This is more than just misplacing keys; it’s a noticeable decline in memory that affects daily activities. For instance, repeatedly asking for the same information or relying heavily on memory aids like reminder notes or electronic devices.

Challenges in Planning or Solving Problems

Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. This might manifest as trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than before.

Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks

People with dementia often find it hard to complete daily tasks. They may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work, or remembering the rules of a favourite game.

When we talk about dementia, we’re really discussing a group of symptoms that affect the brain in different ways. It’s like having various issues with your car’s engine – the problems might have different causes, but they all affect how the car runs. Depending on the affected area of the brain, dementia can affect people differently and cause different symptoms.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of progressive dementia in older adults. It’s characterised by a continuous decline in thinking, behavioural, and social skills that affects a person’s ability to function independently.

Imagine your brain as a busy network of roads. In Alzheimer’s disease, it’s as if some roads start to get blocked by unwanted piles of debris (known as plaques and tangles). These blockages prevent parts of the brain from communicating effectively, leading to lost memories and confusion.
The exact reason why these blockages start to form is still a bit of a mystery, but they’re the main troublemakers in Alzheimer’s.

Vascular Dementia

This second most common type of dementia is caused by conditions that block or reduce blood flow to the brain, depriving brain cells of vital oxygen and nutrients.

Now, think of your brain like a garden that needs a constant water supply. Vascular dementia happens when the brain’s watering system – its blood vessels – get damaged. This damage can be due to conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. When the brain’s cells don’t get enough blood, they can’t function properly, leading to problems with memory and thinking skills.

Lewy Body Dementia

In Lewy body dementia, the issue is with unwanted protein deposits, called Lewy bodies, that develop in the brain. You can think of them as weeds popping up in the garden of your brain. These weeds disrupt the normal functioning of the brain, leading to issues with thinking, movement, and behaviour.

It’s crucial to understand that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are not the same. Dementia is an overall term used to describe symptoms that impact memory, performance of daily activities, and communication abilities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease, while dementia is an umbrella term that encompasses a range of cognitive impairments.

The Specificity of Alzheimer’s Disease

As we mentioned, Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by specific brain changes, including the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, leading to the death of brain cells (American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias) . There are many scientific studies investigating the biological markers associated with Alzheimer’s, highlighting the distinct pathological features that set Alzheimer’s apart from other types of dementia.

Dementia as an Umbrella Term

Dementia, on the other hand, can be caused by a variety of conditions, not just Alzheimer’s disease. Vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia are other forms. Each type of dementia may have different underlying causes and can affect individuals in various ways.

Importance of Accurate Diagnosis

Understanding the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia is vital for accurate diagnosis and treatment. While Alzheimer’s has no cure, early diagnosis can lead to better management of symptoms and improved quality of life. Similarly, identifying the specific type of dementia can help in tailoring care and treatment to individual needs.

While there’s no certain way to prevent all types of dementia, there are steps you can take that might help. Here are some ways to potentially reduce your risk:

• Stay Physically Active: Engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body has been shown to reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
• Eat a Healthy Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in certain fish, might help protect your brain.
• Stay Mentally Active: Activities that challenge your brain, like learning a new skill, playing brain games, or engaging in activities that require manual dexterity and mental effort, may have a protective effect on your brain.
• Face-to-Face Contact: Medical studies showed that increased face-to-face conversation, both in-person and via video calling, actually increased cognitive function.

We encourage you to explore our resources for more information on managing dementia. Our guides on slowing down dementia, preventing dementia, managing memory loss, and our comprehensive dementia care guide offer valuable insights and practical tips.

If you or a loved one are experiencing early signs of dementia, or if you simply want to stay connected with family and friends in a simple, meaningful way, contact us at Konnekt. Our team is dedicated to providing solutions that enhance the quality of life and promote independence. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how our Videophone and Captioning Videophone can be a part of your support system.

Remember, early detection and staying connected are key in managing dementia. Let Konnekt be a part of your support system.

References:

• “A Meta-Analysis of C-Reactive Protein in Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease“, American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias.
• “Warning signs of dementia”, Dementia Australia.