Understanding the Signs and Stages of Dementia

Memory loss is often thought to be the most obvious symptom of dementia, but most of us forget little things every day, so how can you know when to be concerned?

In fact, many of the early symptoms of dementia are very subtle, and might not be immediately noticeable to the individual in question, or their friends and family. Keep reading to find out more about the first signs of dementia, and the different steps you can take if you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one.

Early Symptoms of Dementia

Forgetfulness may be one of the most common early signs, but the NHS actually lists six first signs of dementia, which can vary from person to person, in relation to the part of the brain that is damaged. While these six symptoms are more likely to be identified in older people, they can also be signs of early-onset dementia.

• Experiencing consistent memory loss – Frequent or worsening forgetfulness that disrupts everyday life, or misplacing objects, can both be early signs of dementia. 
• Trouble concentrating. – This may include struggling to focus on a specific task, or a lack of concentration that leads to impaired judgement. 
• Getting mixed up about time and place. – For instance, if someone is struggling to keep track of dates, the seasons, or forgetting where they are and how they got there.
• Difficulty following a conversation. – This might also mean developing new problems with writing or speaking, like finding it hard to land on the right word. 
• Unpredictable mood changes. – Sudden changes in mood and the expression of mood, like anger or frustration that seem to come out of nowhere, can also be symptoms.
• Struggling with normal daily tasks. – Having trouble with making familiar journeys, or struggling to keep up with basic elements of self-care like washing and eating.

Specific Signs of Early Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that’s often characterised by deteriorating memory loss, and it’s the most common type of dementia to be diagnosed in people under the age of 65. The early symptoms of Alzheimer’s are a little more specific, and include the following:

• Asking the same question several times
• Struggling to organise and plan activities
• Finding it hard to recall recent events
• Trouble making basic calculations or feeling nervous handling money
• Showing signs of social withdrawal or anxiety
• Getting confused in new places

Causes of Dementia

It’s important to note that the term “dementia” actually refers to the symptoms that appear when brain function is getting worse. There are many different diseases that can lead to dementia, but several of them involve the accumulation of proteins in and around brain cells, so they have difficulty communicating with each other. For instance, Alzheimer’s disease is widely attributed to the build-up of two different proteins, called amyloid and tau, in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex — the parts of the brain responsible for memory.

Vascular dementia, which is the second most common form after Alzheimer’s, is caused by diseases and conditions which reduce blood flow to the brain. This is often due to a stroke, a series of “mini strokes”, or a narrowing of blood vessels in the brain that prevents sufficient blood flow.

Diseases That Can Cause Dementia

There are also a handful of rarer diseases which can cause dementia, or symptoms similar to dementia. These diseases include:

• Huntingdon’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Progressive supranuclear palsy
• Parkinson disease
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus
• Corticobasal degeneration

Other Dementia Risk Factors

As well as the diseases mentioned above, there are several external risk factors that can increase the likelihood of dementia and dementia-like symptoms. Old age and biological sex both increase risk (research indicates that women are more likely to develop dementia) and so do some lifestyle factors like consistent sleep deprivation, or the overconsumption of alcohol.

Why Early Diagnosis is Important

While there’s no cure for dementia, getting an early diagnosis is very beneficial, for a number of different reasons — so don’t delay a visit to the GP if you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one. With an early diagnosis, you can:

• Finally get an explanation for (and understanding of) behavioural changes 
• Have more time to prepare and plan for the future
• Put together a treatment plan for managing symptoms and slowing deterioration
• Get access to emotional, medical and even financial support

What are the stages of dementia?

Dementia is a degenerative condition that progresses at different rates in different people. The rate at which dementia progresses is impacted by several factors — like the type of dementia the person has, their age, and even some lifestyle choices. The stages of dementia are often broken down into three:

Early Stage Dementia

Sometimes called ‘mild dementia’, an individual in the early stages of this condition might exhibit some of the more subtle symptoms, like minor forgetfulness, confusion and other behavioural changes. They might also experience unusual difficulties when performing tasks they usually find fairly straightforward.

Middle Stage Dementia

When a person reaches middle or ‘moderate’ stage dementia, these symptoms become more pronounced, and they may no longer be able to live independently without additional support in place. This could mean worsening memory loss, “sundowning” (anxiety at dusk), or issues with communication.

Late Stage Dementia

Late stage or ‘severe’ dementia can be very difficult for the friends and family of the individual too - it often makes round-the-clock care necessary. At this point, the person might lose the ability to recognise their loved ones, struggle to communicate and have issues with mobility.

In understanding the different stages of dementia, you have a better chance of recognising them, and anticipating the needs of your friend or loved one. This also makes you better equipped to put together an appropriate care plan based on the level of support they’ll need at each stage, so you can be prepared if their condition starts to progress more rapidly.

When is the right time to consider dementia care?

Many people don’t start looking into care until their loved one reaches middle or even late stage dementia, but they may require — and benefit from - professional help before this. Generally speaking, if a person is becoming a risk to themselves, can no longer live independently and their care needs can’t be met by friends and family, it’s time to consider dementia care. Here are a few things to look out for:

• When symptoms like memory loss, confusion or behavioural changes such as mood swings are significantly impacting daily life, and compromising the safety of the person with dementia. 
• If the caregiver is struggling to look after their friend or loved one, feeling overwhelmed and failing to keep up with their needs as they become more complex.
• The other medical needs of the person with dementia increase, and visiting care from friends and relatives will no longer suffice.

All these factors are signs that it’s time to bring in professional care — whether you opt for in-home care or choose to move your loved one into a residential facility. A GP can help you explore these options in more detail and work out what’s best for the individual circumstances.

At Danforth Care, we pride ourselves on taking a holistic approach to dementia care, ensuring all our residents feel emotionally and medically supported by our highly-trained staff. We build out a personal care plan for each individual, and offer a compassionate, reassuring environment, where residents can stay both active and social.

Different Types of Dementia Care

Once a diagnosis has been provided, you can also start to consider the best course of action when it comes to dementia care. Every person with dementia has different needs and preferences — and thankfully there are many different options out there to support people struggling with this disease, as well as their friends and family.

Here are some of the options you can explore:

Residential Care Homes  

For individuals that need more consistent support, residential care can offer them a safe and comfortable environment, as well as access to any additional healthcare they require. There are also specialist dementia care homes available that cater specifically to the needs of dementia patients, ensuring facilities are optimised and the staff on hand have all the necessary training.

Nursing Homes

Many residential homes also qualify as nursing homes - these are effectively long-term care facilities where medical care is available from qualified nursing staff who are on hand to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Hospice Care

Hospice care is provided to people who are close to the end of their lives, and prioritises the dignity and wishes of the individual who is ill. It can be provided at home, within a care home or in a hospice itself.

Danforth Care is committed to providing care of the highest quality to residents diagnosed with dementia. Our facilities are designed to facilitate independence and social activity, while providing access to the necessary support, all in a comfortable and respectful environment.

To find out more about Danforth Care facilities and our approach to dementia care, don’t hesitate to get in touch.