Six early symptoms of dementia, alert nurse

Julie McFadden, a palliative care nurse with 16 years of experience, made a list of six early symptoms of dementia that often go unnoticed to family members, as highlighted by a Mirror article.

In a video that she published on YouTube, the nurse noticed that the diagnosis does not only affect memory, but also the thinking ability and decision making.

Still, when this disease is perceived in advance, it is possible to delay its progression.

Early symptoms of dementia

1. Memory loss that interferes with daily life

The nurse points out that the main symptom is memory loss that affects everyday life – something people usually notice. However, it underlines: “Please listen to me when I say this I don’t mean forgetfulness. It’s something very different.”

One example is when someone asks the same question several times. Another is to completely forget recent conversations or compromises, even with reminders.

All these symptoms indicate short-term memory loss, one of the first symptoms of dementia. “It is very important to note that the person does not realize that he is not remembering recent things – only the family,” he stresses.

2. Difficulty in performing family tasks

Another example is when someone forgets the recipe for a meal they’ve been making for years. You can also “have difficulties with television control” or “muddle up when it comes to paying the bills”.

These are tasks that people should know how to do automatically because it’s the same thing, but all of a sudden the brain “disposes”.

3. Confusion regarding time and space

A member of your family getting lost in a family environment that you should know well could be another sign of dementia.

Confusing dates and times is another indicator, as well as wearing very hot coats in the summer or talking about family members who have already died.

4. Changes in language and communication

The nurse points out that this is a “very important” symptom and that it can involve from the use of the wrong word to describe something simple or say that the hair dryer is called command.

Losing reasoning in the middle of a phase is another point that should be observed, especially if the person does not just lose himself, as he seems to be left with the mind blank afterwards.

Losing the meaning of a word is another sign and may involve the difficulty in remembering the new of common objects. This happens when the brain loses the neural pathways of language.

5. Judgment failures

According to Julie, this is something that scares family members when they realize it. This is when loved ones make wrong decisions suddenly or have lapses in judgment.

Falling into financial schemes, giving or losing money are warning signs. Another symptom may be lack of hygiene, in which one stops bathing.

6. Personality changes

The last example the nurse gave was mood and personality changes. The same can be seen in the “increase of anxiety, irritability, in which the person seems more depressed or withdrawn”.

Becoming suspicious is another symptom that something may not be right. The nurse stresses that people can isolate themselves when the brain changes, because suddenly the world becomes more confusing and frightening.