Caregiving for a family member with dementia is a tough job, both physically and mentally. And things can get a little more challenging during the holidays. You might find yourself struggling to keep up with your caregiving duties and other obligations, as well as shopping, cooking, cleaning and the other preparations the holiday season often entails.
Not sure if your parent is showing early signs of dementia or simply exhibiting memory loss that’s a normal part of aging? Here are 8 early signs of dementia to look for.
Dementia that begins earlier in life is rare, but it does happen. Early-onset dementia can start as early as 30, but usually happens around age 50. Because it starts so much earlier in life, early-onset dementia comes with some unique challenges for individuals, as well as their families.Â
Hallucinations, delusions and paranoia are all symptoms that individuals with dementia commonly experience. It can be distressing to witness these types of behaviors in a loved one, but you can help by understanding each of these symptoms, the differences between them and how to manage them.
Nearly half of individuals diagnosed with dementia experience anxiety, but you can help your loved one to manage anxiety by understanding its causes and having strategies in place. This may also help to prevent the worsening of cognitive function that can be caused by anxiety. Helping your loved one manage their dementia-related anxiety starts with understanding the signs and symptoms.
Dementia can cause several types of cognitive problems, but memory loss is the most common. If your parent’s been diagnosed with dementia, they may remember a lot of things in the early stages, but will forget things about themself and others as the disease progresses – including the fact that they have dementia.