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An aging parent experiencing frequent forgetfulness or cognitive difficulties may be exhibiting signs of dementia. Dementia is a chronic and irreversible condition that gradually worsens over time, affecting memory, thinking, and the ability to perform everyday activities.
Managing dementia can be a challenging and emotional experience for both the individual and their family. Adult children should closely monitor their parent’s behavior and seek medical advice from the senior’s doctor if they suspect their parent is affected. Early diagnosis and intervention can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for those living with dementia.
What is dementia?
Dementia is not a disease in itself. Rather dementia is an umbrella term for a group of conditions with symptoms that may include memory loss and issues with thinking and reasoning. An affected individual’s brain cells (neurons) stop connecting with other brain cells and die.
Dementia often develops in older people, with some form of dementia affecting up to half of all seniors over age 85. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. Despite its prevalence in the aging population, dementia is not a normal aspect of the aging process. Many people over the age of 90 live without developing dementia.
What are the symptoms of dementia?
Adult children should pay attention to the early warning signs of dementia in an elderly parent. The most common symptom of dementia is memory loss that disrupts daily life. Occasional forgetfulness, like misplacing car keys, is not considered a symptom of dementia.
Disorientation is another key indicator of dementia. An older individual may fail to realize the date, season, or why he is in a specific location. The senior is unaware of the passage of time and may think himself to be younger. Checking the calendar is not a sign of dementia.
Increasing difficulties with communication may signal dementia. A senior with dementia will struggle to find words, often replacing phrases for words. He may refer to a “clock” as “that thing that tells time.” However, occasionally failing to find the right word is not dementia.
Personality changes over many months are common when dementia sets in. An aging parent who is normally pleasant may resort to angry outbursts at the slightest trigger, like the grocery store switching the coffee aisle. Uncharacteristic moods and behaviors reflect adverse changes in the brain.
Misplacing items often can reveal the onset of dementia. An older parent may put the smartphone in the refrigerator; and, attempting to retrace his steps is overwhelmingly difficult. Frustration ensues as he accuses “someone” of hiding it. Moreover, he cannot remember how the phone got in the fridge.
Patterns of poor judgment point to dementia. A parent who normally dresses to the nines may look disheveled. On a cold, blistery day, she may wear light spring clothing. Additionally, an older parent with dementia may repeatedly be a victim of phone scams or bank fraud.
Handling everyday tasks is a challenge for people in the early stages of dementia. Getting from one location to the next is problematic—a worrying factor when the parent had traveled the route before without issue. Performing familiar tasks, like traveling, becomes difficult when dementia sets in.
What is not dementia?
While adult children might be rightly concerned when the symptoms of dementia appear, they should be aware that some medical conditions cause symptoms that mimic those of dementia. Once the underlying condition is treated, the dementia symptoms also go away.
Medication side effects, for instance, can cause symptoms that resemble dementia. Stress, depression, and anxiety do the same. Head injuries, blood clots, brain infections, and tumors also cause dementia-like symptoms. Even thyroid, kidney, and liver problems can look like symptoms of dementia.
What actions can I take if my parents may have dementia?
Adult children should always be vigilant for signs of dementia in their senior parents. If you believe your senior loved ones may be experiencing early signs of dementia, take the following steps:
- Familiarize yourself with dementia symptoms: As mentioned in the above section, some behaviors can be confused for early dementia symptoms. Make sure you know and understand the main early symptoms of dementia, so you know exactly what to look for.
- Keep detailed records of symptoms: If you are noticing signs of dementia, keep detailed notes including the specific symptoms and the time and date they occur. This will create a history of symptoms that will be helpful to the doctor when diagnosing the condition of your loved ones.
- Talk to other family members: Talk to other members of your family who have regular contact with your elderly loved ones about any symptoms you have noticed. See if other relatives have noticed the same things and if they are also concerned. If you have a relative that dismisses your concerns, don’t be discouraged and follow your best judgement to ensure the well-being of your senior loved ones.
- Do not diagnose them yourself: There are several conditions that may share some of the early signs of dementia such as stress, depression, brain tumors, and hormone disorders. You must take your loved ones to a medical doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.
- Encourage your loved ones to visit their doctor: If the symptoms are too much to ignore, you should encourage your loved ones to visit their doctor. Take a delicate approach to this conversation and find a time and place in which your loved ones will be more receptive to talking. You can ask them how they are feeling and mention some of the symptoms you noticed that are causing a concern. There is a chance that your loved ones may not be receptive to what you have to say. In this case, you can try to convince your loved ones to visit their doctor for a routine checkup, but let the doctor know your concerns before the appointment.
- Offer support: There are many ways you can support your parents through this situation including scheduling doctor appointments, preparing a list of symptoms you have observed, driving the to the appointment, and sitting in on the appointment with them. The doctor will also give you instructions on their treatment so you can help them follow their treatment and get used to these new routines.
Will a doctor diagnose dementia?
Upon noticing changes in a parent’s thinking or behavior, the adult child is advised to schedule a visit with the senior’s doctor. A specialist, such as a neurologist, has expertise in disorders of the brain and nervous system and will be best able to diagnose dementia.
If unable to find a neurologist, seniors can see a geriatric psychiatrist, neuropsychologist, or geriatrician. These doctors may have the skills necessary to diagnose dementia. Alternately, a referral to a dementia clinic may be obtained from the neurology department of a local medical school.
The senior’s doctor will perform an assessment to detect any underlying, treatable conditions that may have caused the dementia symptoms. A medical history will be obtained to determine if dementia runs in the family. The doctor will also ask if medications are taken, as some may cause dementia symptoms.
A diagnosis of dementia may be found after a series of tests. Neuropsychological tests assess memory and other cognitive functions. Laboratory tests can check vitamin and hormone levels. Brain scans, like CT and MRI, may be done to detect strokes or tumors, which can cause dementia.
An older parent may be already aware of and concerned about memory lapses. These individuals may feel relieved to discuss their worries with their adult children. Others, however, may resort to outright defensiveness or anger when the topic is brought up.
Adult children should discuss memory issues with a parent, even if the latter is in denial. Rather than using curt terms, like “dementia,” approach the topic by using “memory problems.” A gentle approach is needed, especially when a diagnosis has not yet been made.
If the parent refuses to visit the doctor, give another reason for a physician’s visit. The concerned child might tell a parent that he is due for an annual checkup. Upon discussing a parent’s resistance with the doctor’s office, ask them to call the parent to set up an appointment.
Dementia Care from Assisting Hands Home Care
Even with a dementia diagnosis, seniors can comfortably age at home with the assistance of in-home memory care from Assisting Hands Home Care. Our dementia caregivers are licensed and trained to deliver comprehensive care for dementia patients at any stage of the condition.
Our professional caregivers offer compassionate support, addressing issues such as incontinence, wandering, and agitation. We recognize and understand the symptoms of dementia and have the patience and expertise to gently restore calm and comfort to affected seniors.
Families in the Lake County area rely on Assisting Hands Home Care for dependable dementia home care services. Talk to our home care representatives to create a customized dementia care plan tailored to your elderly parent’s needs.
We provide Alzheimer’s and dementia home care in Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Mundelein, IL, and the surrounding areas. Call us at (224) 268-9068 to schedule a free in-home assessment today.
