Early Indications

1. Forgetfulness:

Most people sometimes forget names or appointments. If this happens more and more and confusion also occurs, this might be an indication for a decline in memory function. 

2. Difficulties with familiar activities:

People who are very busy are sometimes absent-minded and for example forget the pot on the stove. People with dementia possibly not only forget the pot on the stove but also that they have cooked at all.

3. Language problems:

Most people sometimes experience difficulties in finding the right words. People with dementia often cannot remember simple words and instead they use out of place words which makes it difficult to understand the sentences.

4. Problems with space and place awareness:

A lot of people sometimes forget e.g. the day of the week or they get lost in unfamiliar surroundings. People with dementia might be in their own road and no longer know where they are, how they got there and how to get home again.

5. Poor judgement:

People do not always choose clothes suitable for the weather. People with dementia sometimes wear totally wrong clothes. For example, they wear a bathrobe while shopping or several blouses on top of each other on a hot summer day.

6. Problems with abstract thinking:

For many people running a bank account is a challenge. People with dementia can often neither recognise numbers nor carry out simple sums. 

7. Leaving things behind:

From time to time almost everybody leaves their keys or a wallet behind. People with dementia however might put things in completely the wrong places, such as for example the iron in the fridge or a watch in the sugar bowl. Afterwards they do not remember where they put them.

8. Mood swings and behavioural changes

Everybody has mood swings. People with dementia may have very sudden mood swings, often without any noticeable reasons.

9. Personality changes: 

With advancing age the personality of most people changes a little. People affected by dementia may experience a very major personality change suddenly or over a longer period of time. Somebody who is generally friendly, for example, becomes unexpectedly angry, jealous or timid.

10. Loss of initiative:

Nobody always works with the same motivation. People with dementia sometimes lose the interest in their work, hobbies or every day things completely without enjoying new activities.