Are you worried that you, or a family member, has signs of dementia? Here’s what to look out for.
There will come a point in time where there is a decline in your memory due to natural ageing. Forgetting where you have put something or walking into a room and forgetting what you went in for, can be perfectly normal as we age.
However, if you have started forgetting a lot of things, and find you are struggling with memory loss which affects your day-to-day life, then it could possibly be a sign of dementia.
Dementia is a general term for a range of symptoms affecting people, including memory loss, struggles with making decisions, speech, and other cognitive functions. Dementia usually affects you as you get older, however it is not an inevitable part of the ageing process and can happen at an earlier age too.
Signs of dementia:
Memory loss that affects your day-to-day life.
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Forgetting an appointment.
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Losing your keys daily.
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Forgetting how to cook certain meals.
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Not knowing whether it is day or night.
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Asking the same question over and over.
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Forgetting a recent conversation.
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Forgetting where you live when driving home.
Difficulty with planning.
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Forgetting plans.
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Trouble keeping to a time.
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Difficulty concentrating.
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Difficulty understanding visuals.
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Issues with judging distances.
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Trouble with seeing colours.
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Trouble distinguishing what is in a photo.
Communication, comprehension, and word finding difficulties.
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Struggling to hold a conversation.
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Changing topic quickly whilst having a conversation.
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Being repetitive.
Changes in mood and personality.
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Become confused, anxious, or depressed.
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May be angry.
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Quiet and withdrawn.
