11 Common Signs of Early Onset Dementia

Early onset dementia may be a term that you have heard of but do not know exactly what it means. Simply put, it describes a mix of symptoms affecting a person’s mental abilities such as learning, thinking, reasoning, remembering, problem-solving, decision-making, and paying attention.

While dementia normally occurs in older people, when the nerve cells in a person’s brain stop working, it is not a foregone conclusion that older people will develop dementia. Of course, aging can cause a person’s brain to decline, but this deterioration happens quicker in those suffering from dementia.

There are various types of dementia, with the most common being Alzheimer’s disease. Others include:

• Vascular disorders affecting the circulation of blood around the body.
• Lewy body dementia which leads to a decline in reasoning, thinking, and independence
• Frontotemporal dementia, a fairly uncommon type of dementia that affects the front and sides of the brain. It causes problems with behavior and language so people suffering from it may experience personality changes, changes in emotional reactions, having trouble planning as well as speaking and understanding sentences.
• Alzheimer’s disease causes a person to lose their memory, impedes their speech, and accentuates impulsive behavior. In the vast majority of cases, Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, with some of the signs being forgetfulness; and difficulty speaking, making decisions, and completing tasks. It can also bring on personality changes.

Signs of early onset dementia

There are a series of red flags which if people experience them earlier than usual are understood to be typical signs of dementia. When someone receives a diagnosis confirming dementia it is once they usually experience two or more of the symptoms described below at a level of intensity severe enough for it to interfere with their daily lives.

Signs of early-onset dementia include:

Losing memory.

A common symptom of dementia is the loss of a person’s memory. This makes it difficult for a person to recall information they have recently learned, and they will slowly become more reliant on friends and family or other memory aids to help them cope with this impairment.

This is different from natural aging, as many people increasingly become forgetful as they get older. The difference is that later they can recall the information if their lapse in memory is only related to their age and not linked to dementia.

Experiencing trouble planning and solving problems.

Following a plan, even one that is written down like a cooking recipe, a set of DIY instructions, or directions while driving is far more challenging for those who experience dementia than those who do not. This is also seen in a marked decrease in being able to solve problems, like doing the math required to pay household bills.

Familiar tasks become far more difficult.

Despite the familiarity of completing a task many times already, a person who suffers from dementia will find it hard to do things that have been part of their lives right up to that point.

It is viewed as normal for busy people to occasionally become very distracted so that they may forget to serve part of a meal, only to remember about it later. However, a person living with dementia may have trouble completing everyday tasks like working on a computer, making themselves a cup of coffee, going to a location they know well, or working the TV remote properly.

The location of struggling in this manner will not be exclusive to work or home environments, it can happen anywhere.

Time and place disorientation.

Being able to judge the passing of time or their location is something that dementia sufferers battle with. This often manifests itself as a struggle to know what day of the week it is or getting lost in one’s own neighborhood.

While it is fairly common to forget the date, the day of the week, or even why you went into your kitchen, forgetting where you are, how you arrived at a place, and why you are there, are all signs of dementia. Linked to this disorientation is the increased inability to understand dates, such as when future events are to be held or being able to place past events.

Most people forget things more frequently as they age. However, they can usually recall the information later if their memory loss is age-related and not due to dementia.

Language issues.

To assess whether there is a problem with language ask if you or someone you know is forgetting words or using incorrect words in a conversation. While any person may experience difficulty in finding the exact word to express an idea, a sign of early onset dementia or a person living with dementia is that they may forget simple words or may use words that are incorrect for the context, and this may make them difficult to understand.

Increasingly faulty judgment.

There may be times when we all make questionable decisions such as procrastinating on booking a medical appointment when we are ill, however, it is important to be aware of struggling to recognize something that may increase the risk to your or others’ health and safety.

When someone lives with dementia they experience challenges in making appropriate judgment calls and the correct decisions, one example could be not recognizing that a medical problem is serious enough to pay attention to, or wearing light clothing on a cold day.

This can also be seen in the person’s understanding of what is fair and reasonable, which can mean they pay too high a price for items, or make unnecessary purchases. Personal hygiene and presentation are linked to this and so skipping baths and teeth cleaning or being very untidy may be a sign of this.

Abstract thinking becomes incomprehensible.

Numbers and symbols representing ideas or concepts become very difficult to understand for those who suffer from dementia. Yes, sometimes we all have cause to bring out a calculator but this limitation will be seen in the inability to use a calculator or understand symbols that were previously as plain as the day. The very concept of numbers and what they are used for becomes difficult to grasp.

The ability to understand symbols will start to affect the person’s ability to read, judge distances, or understand the differences between colors; for example when it is safe to cross the intersection at a traffic light. If the person is still driving or cycling, then this is something that can be obvious if it happens early enough.

Trouble communicating by speaking or writing.

Someone with dementia typically battles to engage in conversations for many reasons, including forgetting what they are saying, or what their friend or colleague said. This also makes it more difficult to enter a conversation. One sign of early onset dementia is that a person’s ability to write declines as their grammar, spelling, and punctuation deteriorate. Often their handwriting also becomes very untidy.

Not remembering where things were placed.

We have all patted our pockets wondering where we placed the car keys, however when experiencing dementia it goes beyond simply misplacing your wallet. Someone with dementia is often not able to remember where they left items they use regularly, such as car keys, a phone, or a wallet. When the hair straighteners are packed in the Tupperware drawer or household items are packed into the fridge, these are also signs to take note of.

Changes in mood and behavior.

Severe mood changes are another of the typical symptoms of dementia. While it is true that we can all feel moody or that we got out on the wrong side of the bed, someone who suffers from dementia shows a variety of mood swings, from being calm to being anxious, from being happy to angry all for no clear reason.

Personality changes.

Behaving out of character can begin as a subtle change, but these become more jarring for those living with dementia. Sufferers become confused and suspicious and may even become withdrawn, showing a lack of interest or being fearful.

An individual with dementia may experience mood swings or personality changes. For example, they may become irritable, depressed, fearful, or anxious. Behaving in an uninhibited manner or inappropriately becomes more common.

Should you speak to a doctor?

It is generally advised that someone who experiences any of these symptoms or notices a loved one acting in line with them should contact a medical professional. While the Alzheimer’s Association holds that cognitive functioning does not always worsen with age, and minor forgetfulness is a normal part of the aging process, it is important to take these symptoms seriously, especially if they affect a person’s everyday life.

These symptoms of decreased mental capacity may signal signs of early onset dementia or another illness for which doctors can provide support. Appropriate medical assistance can slow the rate and effect of the disease and so improve the person’s quality of life.

Christian counseling to help with early onset dementia

If you’re looking for additional help with coping mechanisms for early onset dementia and establishing the habits of assisting your mind and body to deal and cope better with it, and the effects it has beyond this article, then why not browse our online counselor directory or contact our office to schedule an appointment. We would be honored to walk with you on this journey.