10 Early Signs of Dementia

​If you’ve noticed that your loved one has been misplacing things, had difficulty doing familiar tasks or has had mood or personality changes, they may be dealing with the beginning stages of dementia. We've rounded up a list of early signs of dementia to help you and your loved one. 

1. Difficulty Doing Familiar Tasks

​A person who shows the early signs of dementia may have difficulty with understanding and completing familiar tasks such as operating a television remote, doing the laundry or making a cup of coffee. This is often one of the first signs of dementia, and it’s important to treat it seriously and not dismiss it.  

2. Misplacing Things

​A person who has the beginning onset of dementia may put things in unusual places or may forget where an item goes, even if that item has been put in the same location for years. If your loved one has lost something, it may be a struggle to retrace steps to find the lost item. 

3. Mood and Personality Changes

​Frequent mood changes and the tendency to become easily depressed can be telltale signs of the beginning stages of dementia. Your loved one’s personality may change and he or she may become impatient, anxious, and irritable. 

4. Confusion with Time or Place ​

Your loved one may be habitually confused about what year or season it is, where or why he or she is at a certain location. Your aging parent or friend may struggle with finding the way back home after going on a walk or may forget how to get to their favorite store and back. 

5. Being Repetitive and Forgetful

Some of the first signs of dementia are that your loved one may tell you the same story every day or they may forget what somebody else has said recently. Many caregivers note that their loved one begins to ask the same question over and over, even when this question has been answered multiple times.

6. Struggling to Deal with Change

​A person who is starting to show signs of having dementia will want to stay within his or her own controlled environment and won’t want to travel as much to new and foreign places. He or she may crave routine because new experiences and places may be daunting. 

7. Feeling Unmotivated

​Tasks and activities that used to be simple and fun may become difficult and frustrating for someone who is beginning to show signs of dementia. If your loved one can’t do activities that once gave a sense of purpose and joy, he or she may become unmotivated to do anything. 

8. Neglecting Hygiene and Nutrition

​If your family member begins to ignore hygiene, personal care and nutrition, these could be warning signs that your family member is beginning to get dementia. 

9. Impaired Judgement

A person who is going through the beginning stages of dementia may have impaired judgement. For instance, he or she may easily fall prey to phone scams, give large amounts of money away or dress inappropriately for the weather. 

10. Visual-Spatial Difficulties

​Another warning sign of dementia is visual and spatial difficulties. Your loved one may have issues with depth perception, reading, recognition of places and people, or determining color or contrast. 

It’s difficult to watch someone you love struggle with a memory disorder like dementia, but it’s important to be there for them and ask for help. Martin Luther care center Adult Day programs can help your loved one stay independent for longer through routine and purpose. Memory care can make a dramatic difference in a person’s life by helping them feel safe and in control. We know how scary it can be when you suspect a loved one may have dementia. Our compassionate staff is here to aid you with information and support. Contact us today to get started.

Martin Luther Campus is part of the Ebenezer family of Lutheran Senior Care Communities. We provide transitional care and assisted living apartments for seniors in Bloomington and Richfield. We also have adult day clubs and memory care programs for seniors living at home. We’re located at 1401 East 100th St. Bloomington, MN. Are you interested in transitioning to assisted living or do you have a loved one that needs assisted living? Call Amy at 952-948-5167 for more information and to schedule a tour today. 
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