- Julie McFadden has shared six potential early warning signs of dementia that families can often miss or overlook — knowing what to look out for could make all the difference.
- She stressed: "Please hear me when I say, this is not being forgetful. This is very different."
- The first sign she highlighted is repeatedly asking the same question.
- Another sign involves completely forgetting recent conversations, such as arrangements made with a relative for lunch.
- She noted that the person does not recognize that they aren't remembering short-term things — only the family is.
- A second indicator is not remembering how to make a meal that they've made for the last 30 years or having trouble with the TV remote.
- Disorientation in familiar surroundings can signal dementia.
- Confusion about dates and times is another warning sign, including behaviors like wearing jackets during summer.
- Using incorrect words to describe everyday items, such as referring to a blow dryer as a remote, is another important sign.
- Consistently losing track mid-sentence is another warning sign, particularly if the individual appears to go completely blank afterwards.
- Financial misjudgments, such as falling victim to scams or making peculiar financial decisions, can also indicate dementia.
- A decline in personal hygiene, where someone abruptly reduces how frequently they shower, can be a sign.
- Mood or personality changes can be an early sign of dementia, especially if the individual displays increased anxiety or irritability.
- In closing, she stated: "If you feel like something is off, it's probably off. So get it checked out. Early intervention is so important."
A hospice nurse with 16 years of experience, Julie McFadden, has outlined six early signs of dementia that families frequently miss. She emphasizes that dementia is not merely about memory loss but also affects thinking and decision-making skills.1
The first sign is repeatedly asking the same question, which can indicate a deeper issue. Julie notes, "It’s really important to note that the person does not recognize that they aren’t remembering short term things — only the family is."3
Another significant indicator is forgetting how to perform familiar tasks, such as cooking meals or using a TV remote. Julie describes this as "huge" and often overlooked.
Disorientation in familiar settings is also a warning sign, as is confusion about dates and times, which can manifest in behaviors like wearing inappropriate clothing for the season.8
Julie highlights the importance of language difficulties, where individuals may struggle to find the right words for everyday objects, indicating a loss of language pathways.
Additionally, declines in personal hygiene and noticeable mood or personality changes can signal early dementia. She warns that these changes, such as increased anxiety or irritability, are often dismissed by family members.1213
In conclusion, Julie advises, "If you feel like something is off, it’s probably off. So get it checked out. Early intervention is so important."14
“Julie McFadden highlights difficulty with familiar tasks like cooking a meal or using a TV remote as a 'huge' early sign families often miss. She also warns that becoming disoriented in familiar surroundings or confused about dates can signal dementia.”
Cambridge News
The Mirror
