Dementia affects primarily older people because of the increased risk brought on by old age. However, dementia can also affect younger people. Dementia has a number of different marked stages, although signs and symptoms of the early stages can vary greatly between individuals and can also be present in many other non-related conditions making initial diagnosis quite difficult.
What to Look For
Early indications of the onset of Dementia can include a decline in the ability to concentrate, make decisions, retain recently acquired information, and follow simple instructions. This is a result of a loss of short-term memory. Long-term memory is not usually affected at this stage. People can also become irritable or depressed, which is more of a result of dealing with the short-term memory issues, rather than as a direct result of the condition itself. Friends and relatives may notice these changes without understanding why, and before it is apparent to other people.
As time progresses, the person may start to exhibit signs of a deteriation in practical everyday skills. These may include tasks such as cleaning, personal hygiene, use of technology (TV, vacuum cleaner, washing machine), and job related activities. At this time, the person may also develop neurological abnormalities such as epilepsy. Increasingly disorientation, speech and writing problems, and a loss of familiarity with people or surroundings becomes apparent, and memory loss continues with a wider range of time and skill based functions becoming affected.
Listen to Family and Friends
Although as a health professional you may have had some contact with the person you are trying to diagnose, you will be unable to gauge their normal behaviour or their usual level of ability. Even if your initial observations do not lead you to believe that there is anything wrong, please listen to the information given by any close friends or family members. If they have noticed a change in the person's behaviour and have decided that it is enough to warrant attending the consultation, then there is reason for concern. It may turn out to be something other than Dementia, but you should not be quick to pass any potential signs as 'just getting old'.
There can be no harm done by your patient attending a formal assessment for Dementia, and it could in fact benefit them greatly should the diagnosis be proven.