Dementia: Clear Signs To Look Out For

Dementia is a group of disorders characterized by various symptoms of cognitive decline, such as memory loss and forgetfulness. Although the risk of dementia increases as one gets older, it should not be considered a normal part of aging. Dementia may be caused by neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, infection, a brain tumor, or brain cell death. While some cases are irreversible, medications and therapy are available once diagnosed. Here are the symptoms to look out for.

Vocabulary Problems

A person who is struggling with the early stages of dementia may deal with some difficulty speaking. Specifically, they may have problems finding the right words to communicate their thoughts and needs. There may be some difficulty explaining a situation, asking a question, or forming words and sentences, in which case it is a good idea to talk with a doctor about a dementia test to rule out cognitive decline. Regardless if vocabulary issues are due to dementia or not, a patient should seek help from a speech therapist who can help them regain their speech and improve their confidence as well.

Trouble With Short Term Memory

If one begins to experience trouble with short-term memory, this may be a sign of dementia. These changes are often gradual and subtle but tend to affect short-term memory. A person with dementia might be able to remember something that happened during childhood but may not remember what they ate for breakfast that morning or if they took any medication. Other examples might include forgetting where something was left, why a room was entered, or what they are supposed to be doing later in the day.