Family Plays a Key Role in Spotting Dementia

Know the warning signs and what to look out for with your loved ones

Some conditions – such as high blood pressure and diabetes – can be detected only by your health care provider or a lab test. But when it comes to dementia, it’s often family members who notice the first warning signs.

Knowing the difference between forgetfulness and more serious memory problems can help you spot red flags for your loved ones.

Mind the warning signs

Just like the rest of your body, the brain changes with age. “As a person gets older, parts of the brain may shrink or the communication between brain cells may not be as effective,” says Neti Vora, MD, with LVPG Geriatric Medicine–17th Street, and Chief, Division of Geriatrics, Lehigh Valley Health Network. These changes can contribute to occasional forgetfulness, such as misplacing the car keys.

“The earlier dementia is detected, the better treatments such as medications and memory aids can be attempted to preserve brain function.” - Neti Vora, MD

These normal lapses are different from dementia, which occurs when brain cells are damaged by an injury or disease. Common dementia symptoms include:

Repetition
Difficulty performing regular tasks
Confusion around time or place
Trouble making choices or handling money
Withdrawing from work or social activities
Shifts in mood and personality
Getting lost

“If you notice these changes or others that affect your loved one’s daily life, speak up,” Vora says.

Neti N. Vora, MD

Geriatrics

Smart guide to getting help

The first step is talking with your loved one’s primary care provider. They may perform tests to determine the root cause of the problem. In some cases, such as when medications are to blame for a foggy memory, the fix may be as simple as changing a prescription.

Some types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, have no cure. However, medications can be used to improve a person’s quality of life. “The earlier dementia is detected, the better treatments such as medications and memory aids can be attempted to preserve brain function,” Vora says.

If you care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or any other form of dementia, remember to take care of yourself, too. Eating right, exercise and spending time with friends and family not only help you cope with stress, but can also help with your overall well-being.