Dementia is not only terrifying, both to the person suffering from it and to their loved ones, it is also tricky. Forgetfulness in various aspects of life is one of the very apparent symptoms of cognitive disorders, but being able to recognize these little-known signs may help you to detect dementia early on. While there is currently no cure for dementia, early detection can greatly assist in slowing cognitive deterioration.
Change in Taste Buds
While it is well understood that our taste buds change as we age, it is documented that this phenomenon is largely due to the stall of regeneration of taste buds after about age 40 and is subtle. However, the change in taste associated with dementia is different and will be much more drastic. A newfound love of sweets could be one sign. Another is eating spoiled food or objects that are altogether not food. Unlike other symptoms of dementia, this one has few other plausible explanations.
Disregard for the Law
It is common in cases of early-onset dementia for individuals in the beginning stages to lose a sense of social norms. This could mean anything from inappropriate interpersonal interactions to shoplifting and law-breaking. This is not so surprising when you consider that dementia attacks the part of the brain responsible for recognizing and understanding social rules and conventions.
Funny Isn’t What it Used to Be
Radical changes in the sense of humor, especially leaning towards the darker side, can be an indicator that the part of the brain that picks up on and interprets higher-order verbal information is under attack. This is also the area of the brain that picks up on sarcasm, so whether you appreciate sarcastic humor or not, your ability or inability to detect it could be a red flag.
Hoarding
Compulsive or ritualistic tendencies, especially hoarding, have been identified as a potential link to early-onset dementia. Plenty of people have their quirks, but that’s not what is discussed here. What you want to watch out for are extreme hoarding behaviors.
Lack of Empathy
Remember, dementia affects the part of the brain responsible for behavior. Detecting social cues and the ability to understand why something is or is not appropriate can be lost. This could be a normally nice person saying mean or hurtful things and then showing no awareness or remorse for the inappropriateness of the comment.
Change in Sense of Smell
According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a person’s sense of smell, or lack thereof, can be associated with a decline in cognitive function. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that individuals who performed poorly on a smell test were more likely to develop dementia than their counterparts who performed well. What is unique about this symptom is that is can present itself anywhere from 3.5 to 9 years in advance of other symptoms.
Financial Troubles
What may start as difficulty balancing a checkbook or keeping track of simple expenses may develop into a complete inability to make sound financial decisions or manage one’s money. While this is often mistaken as a sign of the natural aging process, it is important to know that it is not.
Repetitive Thoughts or Actions
Repeating questions or stories, or even repeating tasks, can be a sign of dementia and should be monitored closely.
Early detection of symptoms like these can help prevent or delay the emergence of more serious and debilitating symptoms in the future. Learning the warning signs of dementia and speaking up about them can help a great deal.
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