This information is designed to give general guidance and education about dementia and does not constitute medical advice. Please seek support from a medical professional if you think you or someone you know may be affected by Dementia.
Living with dementia involves coping with a variety of symptoms that impact daily life for the individual, their families and their caregivers.
Both living with, and caring for an individual with dementia requires resilience, compassion, and adaptability.
Understanding the symptoms and behaviours that individuals living with dementia may experience and display, and the challenges faced by their loved ones helps us to provide better support and enhance the well-being of those affected.
Identifying Dementia
Symptoms & Warning Signs for Dementia
There are a variety of symptoms and warning signs that individuals with Dementia may display or experience, but the most clinically prominent feature is the decline in cognitive function and the ability to recall memories. Early identification matters, as identifying warning signs allows for timely intervention.
The Alzheimer’s association outlines ten key warning signs of dementia.[1]
1. Memory Loss
In the very mild stage, occasional forgetfulness may occur (e.g., misplacing keys, repeatedly asking for the same information). This can progress to short-term memory loss for example, struggling to remember important dates, recent events, conversations, or tasks, and misplacing items. As dementia progresses, memory lapses become more noticeable, affecting daily life.
2. Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks
Individuals living with dementia often struggle with tasks they may have done routinely in the past for example, cooking, driving and/or managing finances. They may struggle with following instructions or planning steps to complete a task.
3. Language and Communication Challenges
Individuals with dementia often struggle to concentrate, find the right words or express their thoughts coherently, make decisions or problem-solve. Conversations may become more laborious for them.
4. Time and Place Disorientation
Individuals may experience disorientation, including difficulty recognising familiar places or understanding the current time and date.
5. Poor or Decreased Judgement
Dementia can impair a person’s judgement and decision-making abilities.
6. Problems with Abstract Thought
Individuals living with dementia may struggle to articulate themselves, or may forget the meanings of words they once knew. They may also struggle to follow conversations or participate in social interactions.
7. Misplacing Things
Individuals may find it difficult to recall where they have put things, to retrace their steps or recall thoughts. This can lead to paranoia or accusations of stealing.
8. Changes in Mood and Behaviour
Emotions
Emotional difficulties including irritability, depression, anxiety, and mood swings are common amongst individuals with Dementia.
Behavioural
- Agitation and Restlessness: Individuals may begin pacing back and forth, unable to sit still and/or wandering, seemingly aimlessly.
- Disinhibition: Dementia can lead individuals to display socially inappropriate behaviour, including actions or comments. For example, experiencing a ‘loss of social filters’ whereby individuals say things they wouldn’t have previously.
- Hallucinations and Delusions: Dementia can cause individuals to experience hallucinations and/or delusions, causing false beliefs or paranoia. This can be particularly distressing for individuals with dementia, causing confusion and fear.
- Sleep Disturbances: Disrupted sleep patterns and night or sleepwalking is common amongst individuals with Dementia. Agitation and confusion may also worsen in the evening.
9. Changes in Personality
Individuals living with dementia can also exhibit changes in overall personality or become more apathetic. Personality shifts and sudden emotional shifts may lead to irritability, suspicion, or withdrawal.
10. Loss of Initiative
Individuals living with dementia may gradually withdraw from social activities, hobbies and interests they once enjoyed.
Diagnosing Dementia
Dementia diagnosis typically includes an analysis of medical history alongside physical and neurological examinations, brain imaging, and neuropsychological assessments.
Early detection and diagnosis allows for planning, support, timely access to information and resources, and possibly medication.
The CogDRisk Tool
Researchers at UNSW Sydney and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) developed the CogDRisk tool in 2023. The CogDRisk assesses dementia risk according to a variety of risk factors, providing personalised risk reports for patients.[2] Key modifiable risk factors considered include physical inactivity, smoking, and poor diet.
[1] https://www.jabfm.org/content/jabfp/25/3/367.full.pdf
[2] UNSW Sydney. Online tool found to be effective at assessing dementia riskhttps://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2023/04/online-tool-found-to-be-effective-at-assessing-dementia-risk/; Alzheimer’s Research UK. Building a tool to predict dementia risk. https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research-projects/building-tool-predict-dementia-risk/
