DEMENTIA: Signs and Symptoms

Dementia is a slow, progressive decline in mental function that affects memory, thinking, judgment and the ability to learn. It is the most common mental disorder affecting residents in long term care facilities.

Forgetting things, having mood swings or mixing up words when we speak is something common in anyone’s daily life, but from the moment these factors start to affect our daily lives, it’s important to be alert for the signs of dementia.

Symptoms typically include:

• Memory loss
• Problems using language and doing activities
• Personality changes
• Disorientation
• Disruptive or inappropriate behavior.

Here are examples of memory loss:

MILD TO MODERATE DEMENTIA

• Disorientation to time- confuses the day and time, misses an appointment
• Disorientation to place – gets lost in a shopping mall, confuses the way home or loses the way driving on the freeway 
• Forgets to pay bills
• Gets muddled with phone numbers or shopping lists
• Turns on the stove but forgets to turn it off
• Has difficulty finding common words when speaking
• Progressive loss of independence with activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, toileting.

SEVERE DEMENTIA

• Disorientation to time, place and person – the date, year, address has been forgotten
• Does not remember the names of close family members
• Requires reminders and total care for almost all aspects of daily living
• Problems with balance and walking leading to frequent falls
• Progression to needing a walker and the use of a wheelchair
• May develop muscle spasticity, general weakness and loss of mobility
• Mood changes – irritability, suspicion, paranoia, depression, angry outbursts, resistance, aggression, delirium

Always good to remember that dementia is not part of normal aging.