What are the first signs of old age dementia? Is there a personality change?

Question

What are the first signs of old age dementia? Is there a personality change?

Answer 1

I wish I had more information than I do for you, but...

My Grandpa has recently began to suffer from several different forms of dementia.  He best described it to me in this way,

"Alzheimers is not just forgetting where you left your keys...it's forgetting what your keys are even for."  Generally the first true signs go unnoticed by even the closest family members, such as:

~seeming less interested in involving themselves in conversations in a group setting.

~looks of deep though, or more seriousness.

Alzheimers is usually so gradual that it is generally getting pretty bad by the time it is diagnosed.  But, not all dementia is caused by Alzheimers...it never hurts to get checked out, even just with your family practitioner.  If the person you think is suffering is sensetive (they usually are...wouldn't you be?) on the subject, just make it seem like a routine check up type of thing.

My Grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimers a little over a year ago...2 weeks ago we realized (and he was diagnosed by the mayo clinic) it was actually Lou Gehrigs disease as well all along.  So checking all your bases (possible diagnosis) is best right off the bat.

More on point to your second question, no.  My grandpa has the exact same goofy, lighthearted, comical personality that he has always had, he even still remembers and uses all his classic lines from time to time. Sure he has serious and sad moments of confusion, but in his case he handles them quite well (luckily for us).

And on a happier note I will leave you with one of his classics, he sings it in my ear as a cute girl (or my grandma) walks by us, "She's got dimples on her but(t), she's pretty." ;)

For better information I have included a web-site that should be of much more help than I just was. :)

Answer 2

Hope this gives you a good answer.                 Early symptoms

Every person is unique and dementia affects people differently - no two people will have symptoms that develop in exactly the same way. An individual's personality, general health and social situation are all important factors in determining the impact of dementia on him or her.

The most common early symptoms of dementia are:

Memory loss

Declining memory, especially short-term memory, is the most common early symptom of dementia. People with ordinary forgetfulness can still remember other facts associated with the thing they have forgotten. For example they may briefly forget their next-door neighbour's name but they still know the person they are talking to is their next-door neighbour. A person with dementia will not only forget their neighbour's name but also the context.

Difficulty performing familiar tasks

People with dementia often find it hard to complete everyday tasks that are so familiar we usually do not think about how to do them. A person with dementia may not know in what order to put clothes on or the steps for preparing a meal.

Problems with language

Occasionally everyone has trouble finding the right word but a person with dementia often forgets simple words or substitutes unusual words, making speech or writing hard to understand.

Disorientation to time and place

We sometimes forget the day of the week or where we are going but people with dementia can become lost in familiar places such as the road they live in, forget where they are or how they got there, and not know how to get back home. A person with dementia may also confuse night and day.

Poor or decreased judgement

People with dementia may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers of clothes on a warm day or very few on a cold day.

Problems with keeping track of things

A person with dementia may find it difficult to follow a conversation or keep up with paying their bills.

Misplacing things

Anyone can temporarily misplace his or her wallet or keys. A person with dementia may put things in unusual places such as an iron in the fridge or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.

Changes in mood or behaviour

Everyone can become sad or moody from time to time. A person with dementia may become unusually emotional and experience rapid mood swings for no apparent reason. Alternatively a person with dementia may show less emotion than was usual previously.

Changes in personality

A person with dementia may seem different from his or her usual self in ways that are difficult to pinpoint. A person may become suspicious, irritable, depressed, apathetic or anxious and agitated especially in situations where memory problems are causing difficulties.

Loss of initiative

At times everyone can become tired of housework, business activities, or social obligations. However a person with dementia may become very passive, sitting in front of the television for hours, sleeping more than usual, or appear to lose interest in hobbies.

Answer 3

Freedom,

I just saw your question.  I think Strawberry and Robyn answered it for you.

When my mom started with Alzheimer, we did not know what was happening to her.

She used to be a very loving and giving woman...........and all of the sudden she became very stingy and selfish at first.

She did not know who we were.  She did not recognize her husband(my father) of 60 years.  My sister and I took care of her at home, she was sick with this disease for 10 years.  We could write several books about what we went through.   Her personality changed so much, that she changed mine also.  I am left that sometimes I do not who I am.  I mourned my mother the one that I used to know and love, for 10 years, when she died this past March, I could not shed a tear, until today 5 months later I still cannot shed a tear.