It’s normal to become more forgetful as we age, however, you may be wondering whether the symptoms you have observed in yourself or a loved one are “normal” or signs of dementia. As a middle-aged individual or a caregiver to someone with dementia, you may also be worried that the condition is genetic or that you may have early-onset dementia. In this article, we share with you some ways of distinguishing between normal forgetfulness and signs of dementia.
Reminders Don’t Work
It has happened to the best of us: Sometimes we forget a name, place, or experience mid-conversation. The answer may even just be on the tip of your tongue. After the instance, do you find that your memory is jolted by something you see, such as a reminder on your calendar or even a word or phrase someone drops in conversation? If so, chances are your forgetfulness is normal and nothing to worry about. If reminders don’t work, your forgetfulness may be more than meets the surface.
Forgetting the Same Thing More Than Once
Do you find that even after you have been reminded of something, you can’t seem to keep it in your mind? If you forget something once or twice and the answer has been made obvious to you, you should be able to hold this in your mind subsequently. If you find that you keep forgetting the same thing despite repeated reminders, you may be experiencing signs of dementia.
Neglecting Self-Care
Forgetting what you came to the supermarket for or the name of an old friend are signs of normal forgetfulness, but this shouldn’t affect your daily care routine. Despite the important detail you have missed out on, you should still be capable of maintaining a standard of personal hygiene, such as bathing and dressing yourself. However, if that’s not the case for yourself or a loved one and you find that personal hygiene is being compromised, speak to a doctor as soon as possible.
Personality Changes
If forgetting certain details is the only change you have been seeing, chances are it’s just normal forgetfulness. But if you find yourself or your loved one getting increasingly angry, upset, frustrated, confused, or even disorientated, this could be dementia. Other changes such as a reduced capacity to make sound judgments can also be an indication of dementia.
Terrabella Senior Living Offers a Choice of Lifestyle Options
There’s no right or wrong time to transition to senior living, and you certainly don’t have to meet a set of criteria to qualify. Whether you are making long-term care plans for a loved one with dementia or simply wish to wash your hands off the daily responsibilities of homeownership, making the move to a senior living community can benefit you. At TerraBella Windsor Lake, our residents can benefit from stylish amenities and a choice of floorplans to suit their needs and preferences. To find out more about what we can offer prospective residents, please schedule a tour with us today.
