How do I tell if my grandmother has dementia?

According to the Alzheimer's Association, over 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. If you are concerned about a loved one, understanding the signs is the first step in figuring out how do I tell if my grandmother has dementia. This guide provides an authoritative overview of what to look for.

Quick Summary

Identifying potential dementia in a grandmother involves observing consistent and progressive changes in memory, communication, daily functioning, and personality that interfere with her independence, going beyond normal age-related forgetfulness, and warranting a professional medical evaluation.

Key Points

• Differentiate from Normal Aging: Look for persistent, worsening memory and cognitive issues that interfere with daily life, rather than occasional forgetfulness.

• Observe for Behavioral Changes: Note significant shifts in personality, mood, and judgment, which can include anxiety, withdrawal, or poor financial decisions.

• Monitor Communication Patterns: Watch for repeated questions, difficulty finding words, or struggling to follow conversations.

• Track Changes in Daily Tasks: Pay attention to increasing difficulty with once-familiar tasks like cooking, managing bills, or driving.

• Plan for a Doctor's Visit: Gather specific, documented examples of concerns and prepare to discuss them with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.

• Seek Professional Help: Remember that only a doctor can diagnose dementia, and it's essential to rule out other treatable conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

• Educate Yourself: Learning about dementia's effects and how to respond is crucial for providing effective support.

Distinguishing Normal Aging from Early Dementia

It is common for older adults to experience some mild forgetfulness, such as occasionally misplacing keys or struggling to find a word. However, dementia is not a normal part of aging and involves a more significant decline in cognitive abilities that affects daily life. The key is to look for changes that are persistent, progressive, and impact a person's ability to live independently.

Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life

While it’s normal to forget an appointment and remember it later, a person with dementia may forget new information and ask the same questions repeatedly without remembering the answer. You might notice your grandmother starting to rely heavily on memory aids or family members for things she used to manage on her own. Look for these specific memory patterns:

• Forgetting recently learned information: Not remembering conversations that occurred just moments or hours ago.
• Losing important dates or events: Missing significant birthdays or anniversaries, even after being reminded.
• Needing constant reminders: Increasingly relying on notes, calendars, or family to remember daily tasks like taking medication.

Challenges with Familiar Tasks and Planning

For most people, figuring out a new microwave setting might be an occasional inconvenience. For someone with early dementia, this difficulty extends to completing familiar, everyday tasks. They may struggle with steps that were once second nature.

Examples of challenges include:

• Having trouble following a familiar recipe.
• Being unable to manage a monthly budget or pay bills on time.
• Forgetting the rules of a favorite card game.
• Taking much longer to complete routine chores or tasks.

Confusion with Time or Place

Occasional confusion about the day of the week is a normal part of aging. However, a person with dementia can lose track of seasons, dates, and the passage of time. They may forget where they are or how they got there, even in familiar surroundings like their own neighborhood.

Changes in Communication and Language

Finding the right word can be hard for anyone, but for someone with dementia, these issues are more frequent and pronounced. Your grandmother may struggle to follow or join a conversation, suddenly stop talking in the middle of a sentence, or repeat herself.

Look for:

• Difficulty with vocabulary, such as calling a watch a “hand-clock” or other unusual terms.
• Repeating phrases or stories within a short period.
• Trouble understanding what others are saying.

Shifts in Mood and Personality

Rapid mood swings or sudden personality changes can be a sign of dementia. Your grandmother may become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. She might lose interest in hobbies or social activities that she once enjoyed and withdraw from friends and family. It's crucial to remember that these changes are not a choice, but a symptom of the disease.

Poor Judgment and Decision-Making

Dementia can affect judgment and decision-making, leading to poor choices, especially with money. You might notice your grandmother overpaying for items, giving large sums of money away, or paying less attention to her personal hygiene and grooming. This can also manifest as poor decision-making regarding personal safety, such as dressing inappropriately for the weather.

Comparison of Normal Aging vs. Early Dementia

Symptom Area	Normal Age-Related Change	Potential Sign of Dementia
Memory	Forgetting names and appointments, but remembering later.	Forgetting recently learned information and dates; repeating questions often.
Problem-Solving	Making an occasional error when balancing a checkbook.	Inability to manage a budget; significant difficulty following a plan.
Daily Tasks	Needing help to use a new smart TV remote.	Finding it hard to complete familiar tasks like cooking a meal or driving.
Time/Place	Getting confused about the day of the week, but figuring it out.	Losing track of dates, seasons, and where they are or how they got there.
Language	Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.	Using unusual words for familiar objects; struggling to follow or join conversations.
Judgment	Making a questionable decision once in a while.	Using consistently poor judgment with money or personal hygiene.

The Next Steps: Talking to a Doctor

If you have concerns, don't ignore them. The most important step is to see a doctor for a professional evaluation. A proper diagnosis is crucial for several reasons: it can rule out other treatable conditions with similar symptoms (like vitamin deficiencies or depression), provide access to treatments that may slow progression, and help with future planning.

It can be challenging to talk to a loved one about your concerns. Consider these strategies:

1. Frame it as a routine check-up: You can suggest a general health visit, a check for a long-term condition like blood pressure, or say you're scheduling one for both of you.
2. Bring a list of observations: Before the appointment, write down specific examples of memory lapses, behavioral changes, or incidents that worry you. This provides valuable information to the doctor.
3. Offer reassurance: Be calm and caring. Your grandmother might be fearful. Reassure her that you are on her side and want to ensure her health and well-being.

Conclusion

Noticing the signs of dementia in your grandmother can be distressing, but understanding what to look for is the first step toward getting the help she needs. Consistent and progressive declines in memory, communication, and daily function are hallmarks of dementia, setting it apart from normal aging. The sooner a proper diagnosis is made, the sooner you can explore care options, support systems, and treatments to maintain her quality of life for as long as possible. Always consult a healthcare professional for an accurate assessment and guidance on how to move forward.

For more detailed information on understanding and supporting someone with dementia, consult the resources available from authoritative sources such as the Alzheimer's Association. The Alzheimer's Association provides extensive guidance and support for families navigating these challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the very first sign of dementia?

While it varies, one of the earliest and most common signs is memory loss that disrupts daily life, particularly forgetting recently learned information or important events.

Can stress or depression cause dementia-like symptoms?

Yes, several conditions, including stress, depression, vitamin deficiencies, and medication side effects, can cause temporary, dementia-like symptoms. This is why a proper medical evaluation is so important.

How can I get my grandmother to see a doctor if she is in denial?

Try framing the visit as a routine check-up or to review her current medications. Offering to go with her for support can also help. Emphasize that it's to address a general health concern, not just memory loss.

What is 'sundowning' and is it a sign of dementia?

'Sundowning' refers to increased confusion, agitation, and anxiety that can occur in the late afternoon or early evening in individuals with dementia. It is a common symptom in mid-to-late-stage dementia.

Is it possible for a person with dementia to remember old memories but forget recent ones?

Yes, this is very common in Alzheimer's disease. The brain damage often affects the short-term memory center first, while long-term memories from the distant past can remain intact for a longer period.

What should I do if my grandmother gets lost or wanders?

Wandering is a serious safety concern. Ensure she has identification, consider monitoring systems, and notify neighbors. Creating a consistent routine can also help reduce the urge to wander.

What is the difference between Alzheimer's and other types of dementia?

Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, but dementia is a general term covering many conditions. Other types, like vascular dementia or Lewy body dementia, have different underlying causes and symptom patterns.