Dementia Symptoms Often Mischaracterized as Personality Traits

While memory loss and confusion can be somewhat easy to identify as potential signs of dementia, the onset of the disease itself can be subtle. It may not be until you look back later that you’re able to identify changes in personality, behaviour, and cognition that offered clues as to what your elderly loved one was facing. Here are a number of early symptoms that may masquerade as personality changes.

Symptom: Difficulty Following a Storyline

Mistaken for: Being absentminded, inconsiderate, impassive  If your loved one has difficulty following the storyline in a movie or conversation, it may be a symptom of early dementia. Many people with dementia have difficulty finding the right words, and they can forget the meanings of some words they hear. This symptom is often mistaken for merely not paying attention or being disinterested. The cognitive challenges that accompany dementia often leave aging adults unable to manage everyday tasks, which puts their safety and health at risk. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of in-home care. Winnipeg Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.

Symptom: Changes in Judgment

Mistaken for: Having a new outlook on life, being adventurous  People with dementia may start to exhibit personality changes in the early stages of the disease. For example, someone may go from being very shy to suddenly being outgoing. This is usually caused by changes in judgment rather than adopting a new attitude or outlook.

Symptom: Loss of Interest in Activities & Hobbies

Mistaken for: Being apathetic, listless, aimless Apathy is a very common sign of early dementia that causes seniors to lose interest in activities and hobbies they once enjoyed. If your loved one no longer wants to go out or spend time with family and friends, don’t assume it’s just a normal personality change that comes with getting older. Home care professionals can provide companionship and essential cognitive stimulation that can help aging adults with dementia slow the progress of their condition. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of homecare services. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.

Symptom: Being Repetitive

Mistaken for: Being monotonous, boring  The memory loss and behavioural changes that come with dementia often cause repetition. If your loved one is repeating the same questions or stories in conversation on a regular basis, don’t be so quick to chalk it up to “senior moments” or becoming boring with old age.

Symptom: Difficulty Adapting to Changes

Mistaken for: Being stubborn, headstrong, obstinate  In the early stages of dementia, your loved one is likely very frightened by the changes he or she can sense in him or herself. Your loved one may have difficulty recognizing people and places he or she knows or difficulty following what’s going on around him or her. This causes most seniors with dementia to crave routines and avoid new things. Don’t assume your loved one is merely being stubborn. Dementia can be challenging for seniors to manage, but they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional dementia care. Winnipeg seniors can benefit greatly from the Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), an activities-based program designed to promote cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. CTM is included at no additional charge with any of the in-home care plans provided by Home Care Assistance. To create a customized in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at (204) 489-6000.