Early Signs and Symptoms of Dementia

Dementia is a progressive condition that affects brain function, leading to reduced cognitive abilities, forgetfulness, and changes in behaviour. Recognising the early signs of dementia matters because an early diagnosis opens the door to better treatment options, planning and support.

The 7 common early signs of dementia:

• 1. Memory loss
• 2. Impaired judgement and decision-making
• 3. Difficulty with familiar daily tasks
• 4. Struggles with communication
• 5. Changes in personality, mood and behaviour
• 6. Loss of motivation
• 7. Repetitive behaviour

1. Memory loss

Memory loss that disrupts daily life is one of the more common early signs of dementia. While it is normal for everyone to forget things sometimes, for example, you might forget an appointment now and then, a person in the early stages of dementia may forget things more often.

Early signs of memory loss include:

• Difficulty recalling recent events
• Misplacing objects, sometimes in unusual places
• Trouble finding objects
• Forgetting familiar names

These symptoms may be subtle, but they can gradually worsen over time.

2. Impaired judgment and decision-making

Poor judgment and reasoning can indicate cognitive decline. They may be early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia, like vascular dementia. If a person is having trouble making decisions, they might start making choices that are out of character.

Poor decisions can include:

• Inability to manage finances
• Inability to manage personal hygiene
• Inability to identify hazards
• Inability to drive safely

Impaired judgement can appear before memory loss as an early symptom of Alzheimer's disease, and reasoning may be affected more significantly as the condition progresses.

3. Difficulty with familiar daily tasks

If a person begins to forget how to do familiar tasks, this may be an early sign of dementia. A subtle change usually starts with more complex tasks rather than simple ones, including:

• Keeping track of bills
• Following a recipe
• Playing a game with lots of rules
• Managing a household budget

A person showing early signs of dementia may struggle with familiar tasks, lose interest in hobbies and passions, and find it harder to learn new things, adapt to changes in their environment or follow new routines.

4. Struggles with communication

Individuals who experience cognitive decline may struggle to express themselves verbally and to understand others. Communication difficulties can show up in a variety of ways, including:

• Struggling to find the right words
• Forgetting simple words
• Becoming easily confused
• Losing track in conversations

Struggling to share one's thoughts can cause frustration, loneliness, and confusion among loved ones.

5. Changes in personality, mood and behaviour

As we age, our behaviour and reactions to our environment often change. Small and gradual changes in a person's personality and behaviour can be warning signs of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

Changes in behaviour can include:

• Rapid mood swings
• Aggression or agitation
• Self-isolation
• Inappropriate social behaviour

The early stages of frontotemporal dementia usually cause changes to an individual's personality and behaviour. These changes can be subtle and difficult to notice at first, but they can become more pronounced over time.

6. Loss of motivation

Demotivation is a common early sign of dementia that is often overlooked. Losing interest in activities that used to be fun may show that the brain is having trouble processing information or connecting with the world around it. Signs can include:

• Disinterest in hobbies and passions
• Trouble handling usual responsibilities
• Difficulty managing emotions
• Difficulty planning or solving problems

If not noticed early, demotivation can lower quality of life and cause stress and confusion for both the person and their loved ones. Helping loved ones stay active and engaged through physical and mental activity can support their wellbeing.

7. Repetitive behaviour

Repetitive behaviour can be an early sign of dementia. This behaviour can take many forms, including:

• Repeating questions or statements
• Performing the same actions or tasks repeatedly
• Obsessively checking things like lights, locks, or appliances

Often, individuals who display repetitive behaviour are unaware of their actions. Memory aids and a structured routine may help manage these symptoms.

Other early warning signs of dementia

Alongside the seven signs above, Dementia Australia and the Alzheimer's Association highlight a few other early symptoms of dementia worth watching for:

• Confusion about time and place: losing track of dates, seasons or the passage of time, or becoming disoriented in familiar surroundings
• Problems with visual and spatial awareness: difficulty judging distances, reading, or recognising objects, which can affect driving and moving around safely
• Withdrawing from work and social activities: pulling back from conversations, groups or commitments, sometimes to hide the difficulties being experienced

Is it dementia or normal ageing?

Occasional forgetfulness is a normal part of getting older. The difference lies in how often it happens and whether it disrupts daily life.

If the changes are frequent, worsening, or affecting everyday life, it is time to talk to a doctor.

Early signs of dementia in women and men

The early signs of dementia are broadly the same for everyone, but research suggests they can show up a little differently. Women often perform strongly on verbal memory tests, which can mask early memory changes and delay diagnosis, so subtle word-finding trouble or repeated questions in a woman with a good memory history deserve attention. In men, early changes are somewhat more likely to appear as apathy, irritability, or shifts in behaviour rather than as obvious memory loss.

Women also make up the majority of Australians living with dementia, partly because women live longer on average. Whatever the pattern, the advice is the same: changes that are new, persistent and out of character warrant a conversation with a GP.

How is dementia diagnosed? Is there a test?

There is no single dementia test. A diagnosis usually starts with your GP, who will talk through the changes, review your medical history and medications, and may use a brief cognitive screening. From there, the GP can arrange blood tests to rule out other causes and refer to a specialist, such as a geriatrician, neurologist or psychiatrist, for a fuller assessment.

Be cautious with online dementia tests. They cannot diagnose dementia, and symptoms like these can also be caused by treatable conditions, including vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, infections, depression and medication side effects. Only a proper medical assessment can tell the difference.

For more information and resources about dementia, visit Living with Dementia on the Dementia Australia website, or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.

Specialised dementia support from Just Better Care

Our knowledgeable and experienced team members can provide reliable advice, reassurance, and support for people with dementia and their loved ones.

We take a very personalised approach and aim to help people manage their symptoms while continuing to do things they enjoy.

Personalised Dementia Support services from Just Better Care can include:

• Assisting with daily activities at home.
• Encouraging engagement.
• Promoting healthy eating.
• Creating opportunities for social interaction.
• Providing dignity in care.
• Support with day-to-day activities.
• Supporting families and loved ones.
   

Are you caring for someone who has just been diagnosed with dementia?

Caring for someone with dementia may involve various tasks that vary or increase over time as the person’s needs change.

The demands on carers, family members, and existing supports will also increase over time and may become more challenging to manage. Introducing professional support, such as that available at Just Better Care, can begin with one or two home visits per week and progress to around-the-clock care if necessary.

If you or a loved one is beginning to find everyday tasks difficult, it may be time to seek assistance

Why choose in-home dementia care?

For people living with dementia and their families, receiving support at home can be very beneficial. Familiar settings and routines can reduce the confusion, anxiety, fear, and stress experienced by persons living with dementia. These feelings can sometimes result in disruptive behaviour and further stress.

Having a support worker visit daily or regularly can help people with dementia continue living in their homes or those of family members and remain independent in a familiar environment.

It can also give family members peace of mind, knowing their loved one receives support from a skilled and qualified professional.

We understand needs arise at any point. Please reach out to our team to see how we support you with specialised dementia support at home