Khaberni - You might want to think twice before considering your grandmother's "forgetful moments" just a natural result of aging, as each year, more than 10 million people around the world are diagnosed with dementia, but studies show that symptoms often begin to appear long before the condition is formally diagnosed.
However, a survey conducted by the Alzheimer's Association in 2023 found that 1 in 3 people notice early signs on themselves or someone they love and remain silent for at least a month, and nearly a quarter wait 6 months or more before seeing a doctor.
According to the "New York Post", the reason is not fear, as most people simply do not know what is considered a normal progression of age and what is an indicator of dementia.
Experts warn that this delay could waste precious time that might have been used to plan for the future or even to slow the progression of the disease.
Karen Sillberg, the director of care consulting at the greater Michigan chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, says: "There is much more hope today than there was 20 years ago."
The benefit of early detection
Today, approved modern medicines are available that can slow cognitive decline by targeting the abnormal accumulation of beta-amyloid protein, associated with Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common form of dementia.
Evidence is also growing that lifestyle changes can have a strong impact on brain health.
Not all signs of dementia are as expected
"It is commonly believed that dementia is diagnosed only in those who have memory issues, but behavioral changes or language difficulties can also be a sign of a degenerative neurological disease."
There are 5 major signs identified by experts for dementia, which should be monitored, and medical advice sought if noticed.
Short-term memory loss
It's natural for a person to forget occasionally, like misplacing their keys or forgetting the name of an actor they saw in a film yesterday.
But a person in the early stages of dementia may begin to forget things frequently, find it difficult to remember information learned recently, or repeat themselves often.
New problems with words
Anyone may have difficulty finding the right word or forgetting a name from time to time, but there are some speech problems that may indicate early cognitive decline.
This includes frequently pausing in the middle of a conversation and not knowing how to continue, difficulty with vocabulary, difficulty naming a familiar object or using the wrong name, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Difficulty in planning and performing multiple tasks
If someone who used to handle tasks like planning and executing a dinner party begins to struggle to accomplish them, this might be an indication of a problem.
Dr. Heather Whitson, from Duke University, says: "If it seems that things are not going as well, or that they require more effort, this is an indication of executive function problems."
Changes in personality
If you find yourself thinking that an elderly loved one "is not the same anymore," do not ignore it.
The emergence of anxiety, depression, or irritability in someone in their sixties might be an early, often overlooked, sign of Alzheimer's disease.
Financial difficulties
There is an issue that we must be fully aware of, and unfortunately, it has become more common, and that is the ease of falling victim to financial scams, as stated by Dr. Jori Fleisher, an associate professor of neuroscience at Rush University.
While scams have become more sophisticated and believable, if one of your loved ones falls victim to one, it might be useful to check their cognitive health.
Other financial troubles might also indicate underlying problems. Thus, experts advise monitoring late bills and irregular spending, as these are common signs of memory impairment in those who are usually careful with their money.
