Essential Tips to Spot Early Dementia Signs and Stay Ahead

Lisette Marie

15. Proactive Planning: Voicing Wishes and Advance Care Directives

back view of senior woman hugged by husband, sick on dementia. Photo Credit: Envato @LightFieldStudios

Taking control early involves more than just medical appointments; it means thoughtfully planning for the future. Engaging in advance care planning allows individuals to articulate their preferences for future medical treatment, personal care, and end-of-life wishes while they are still fully able to make and communicate these decisions. This proactive approach often involves creating legal documents like living wills or appointing a durable power of attorney for healthcare. Crucially, it also means fostering open and honest conversations with loved ones and healthcare providers about these wishes, ensuring clarity and peace of mind for everyone involved as the journey unfolds.

16. Notice Repeated Questions or Stories

Elderly Friends Chatting in Living Room. Photo Credit: Envato @Media_photos

It’s normal to forget small details now and then—but when someone begins repeating the same question or story within short periods, it may signal early cognitive decline. This behavior stems from short-term memory disruption, making it hard to retain recent conversations. What’s important is the pattern, not the moment. Gently observe if repetition becomes frequent or increasingly disconnected from context. If you find yourself answering the same question multiple times in one day—or hearing the same story on repeat without recognition—it’s worth tracking and discussing with a medical professional. Early documentation helps with diagnosis.

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15. Proactive Planning: Voicing Wishes and Advance Care Directives

16. Notice Repeated Questions or Stories

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