Many people associate dementia or Alzheimer’s disease with memory loss. While it’s true that memory loss is a significant component of these conditions, they can involve other symptoms as well. Experiencing memory loss does not always mean you have dementia, and vice versa; having dementia does not mean you will only experience memory loss.
Brickmont Assisted Living offers memory and dementia care in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Our team is sharing some common symptoms and signs of dementia beyond memory loss and how you can manage them.
Understanding the Links Between Memory Loss and Dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a collection of symptoms that impact cognitive abilities, including memory loss, judgment, and communication. Beyond these symptoms, a person might have trouble with reasoning or decision-making or begin to behave in unfamiliar ways.
Memory loss has long since been the number one symptom people look for in their aging loved ones. But unfortunately, many people are unaware of the other signs of dementia, so when a family member starts exhibiting them, they may be unsure of what it means and how to move forward.
Personality Changes
Aside from memory loss, people living with dementia can also experience personality changes, such as sudden anger, extreme sadness, or energetic enthusiasm, all within a matter of minutes. These changes and mood swings can occur rapidly and with no apparent reason. They can also be completely out of character for the person, which can be especially worrisome and distressing for their family.
If your loved one has started to show a lack of interest in the hobbies or activities they once enjoyed, this could also be an example of personality changes. This often goes hand in hand with a sense of apathy or indifference to the choices they make.
A person with dementia can also exhibit changes in judgment or awareness, such as impulsive or irrational decision-making. For example, they might dress in clothes inappropriate for the time of year, such as wearing shorts and sandals in the middle of winter.
In addition, other signs of dementia can include:
- Paranoia or delusional thinking
- Social withdrawal
How To Manage Behavior Changes
Seeing your loved one act in a way that is inappropriate or out of character can be uncomfortable and frightening. However, it’s important to remind yourself that their behavior results from degeneration in the brain.
In addition, these types of behaviors are often due to unseen feelings or circumstances. When a person experiences a loss of control in their lives, it can cause them to react in unusual ways, and when a person with dementia is exhibiting changes in behavior, it could be due to:
- Problems with orientation or time
- The amount of contact they have with others
Depression
For many people in the early stages of dementia, depression is prevalent. However, according to Johns Hopkins expert Andrea Nelson, R.N., about 40-50% of those living with dementia also experience depression. The high instances of this could be related to changes in the brain, as well as the struggle of coping with the diagnosis.
Depression and dementia can also relate to personality changes, making individuals feel hopeless, disinterested, or irritable. In addition, the sense of apathy discussed in personality changes can also contribute to the development of depression.
With that in mind, it can be difficult to notice the signs of depression due to its similarities with personality and behavioral changes. It can also be a challenge for a person living with dementia to articulate the feelings they’re going through.
Depression in a person living with dementia can show up differently than in regular cases of depression. For example, it can be less severe, might not last as long, and come and go at different times. “For a person to be diagnosed with depression in Alzheimer's, he or she must have either depressed mood (sad, hopeless, discouraged or tearful) or decreased pleasure in usual activities, along with two or more of the following symptoms for two weeks or longer (alz.org).”
How To Manage Depression
If you notice that your loved one with dementia is showing signs of depression, it’s essential to speak with a healthcare provider. There isn’t a single test or questionnaire to diagnose cases of depression, which is why it’s essential to consult with a medical professional.
A medical evaluation for depression might include:
- A review of the person’s medical history
- Family history
- Interviews with relatives who are close to the person being evaluated
While depression in those with dementia is known not to be as severe in those without dementia, treatment is still essential to improving their quality of life. Their doctor can develop a care plan that could include a combination of medication, counseling, and effective activities.
Difficulty Sleeping
Another common sign of dementia beyond memory loss is problems with sleeping. Due to changes in the brain, individuals with dementia may experience shifts in their sleep-wake cycle. As a result, they may have difficulty falling asleep at night, or they may nap too much during the day. Some experts even suggest that individuals with late-stage Alzheimer’s spend up to 40% of their time awake in bed at night and a significant part of their daytime sleeping.
How To Manage Sleep Changes
Even though difficulty sleeping is a common issue for those with dementia, it is one of the easiest challenges to manage. Here are some tips on how to support a good night’s sleep:
- Establish a Daily Routine: Try to have set times each day for waking up, eating, resting, and sleeping.
- Encourage Physical Activity: Enough activity during the day can make it easier to sleep at night.
- Avoid Stimulants: A cup of coffee in the morning is okay, but try to avoid stimulants like coffee or soda in the afternoon as they can disrupt sleep.
- Set a Peaceful Routine in the Evening. Creating a calming routine in the evenings can set a positive mood when getting ready for bed. For example, turning on calming music, dimming the lights, or reading.
Trouble Communicating
Instead of memory loss, another sign of dementia is trouble communicating. In the early stages, individuals may have difficulty retrieving the right words, asking the same questions, or frequently losing their train of thought. As the condition progresses, they may have more difficulty finding the right word or forming a coherent thought.
How To Manage Communication Issues
Trying to communicate with a family member with communication challenges can be frustrating, and it can be easy to lose your patience. However, it’s essential to remain calm and patient to understand what they need and how they feel. Always be kind and gentle, and use eye contact or a reassuring touch.
Understanding Dementia
Dementia is one of the most challenging and complex conditions to understand. It can be challenging to determine if a family member is experiencing dementia or just experiencing natural changes that can occur as we get older.
However, it’s important to recognize that memory loss is not the only indicator of dementia, nor do episodes of memory loss guarantee a dementia diagnosis. Observe your family member and watch their abilities and symptoms change or evolve. If these symptoms impact their daily life, it could be time to speak to their healthcare provider.
Brickmont Assisted Living offers memory and dementia care throughout the Atlanta, Georgia, area and serves individuals and families going through the dementia journey by providing support, answers, and care.
For more information on dementia care at Brickmont, we invite you to visit our website.
Updated on June 2023
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