One of the most common signs of dementia is short-term memory loss, whereby a person can still remember events that happened years ago but not something they just learned or something that happened recently (such as important dates, appointments and events, or even what they had for breakfast). 

When there’s a lapse in memory, thinking and judgement, a person with dementia may easily lose track of time, dates and places. This is why you hear stories of elderly folk getting lost on the way home. They may forget where they are or how they got to particular place, even if they’ve been there a million times before. As their sense of direction and spatial awareness begins to deteriorate, a person may not recognise previously-familiar landmarks or be able to follow instructions and directions as easily. 

Someone with dementia may suddenly go from calm to anger or tears, for no apparent reason. They may become easily upset or anxious out of the blue, whether it’s at work, at home or with friends. This might be exacerbated by fear, as their experiences with forgetfulness can make them afraid to adapt to change of any kind. 

You may even notice a more dramatic personality shift whereby a person becomes extra suspicious of family and friends. The is due to their sense of judgement being affected.

On the other hand, apathy can also arise as a symptom of early dementia. A person may lose interest in hobbies or spending time with family and friends, and may seem emotionally flat or listless. They seem to become withdrawn and depressed. 

A person with dementia struggles to find the right words to express themselves, or may tend to forget simple words for everyday objects or call things by the wrong name. 

Simple routines like brushing their teeth, preparing a meal or even paying someone for items may be difficult for someone with dementia. This also affects their ability to understand and follow new routines.

Because of memory loss, a person with dementia may repeat daily tasks or ask the same questions in a conversation over and over, even though they’ve already been answered. 

Misplacing objects can be a key sign of early dementia. They can put things in unusual places and then forget about it, becoming suspicious that someone had taken their things. They may also do things like putting their clothes in the fridge and milk in their wardrobe, for instance. 

While making bad decisions are part and parcel of life, dementia affects a person’s ability to make simple judgements and reason. They may buy a lot more food than they can eat or give away big sums of money to strangers. 

Where can your loved ones get diagnosed?

Several hospitals in Singapore conduct diagnosis for dementia. These are:

The Institute of Mental Health
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
Changi General Hospital
Singapore General Hospital
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
National University Hospital

Find out more about dementia and caring for persons with dementia at the Singapore Mental Health Film Festival (SMHFF), happening from Feb 21 – 24. Sign up for film screenings, panel discussions and workshops that aim to break the stigma of mental health in Singapore. Get tickets here. 

READ MORE:
You Should Not Avoid This One Sign Of Alzheimer’s
10 Dishes To Help You Ward Off Alzheimer’s And Boost Brain Health
Health Alert: Diet Soda And Soft Drinks May Cause Dementia And Stroke According To This Study

Text: Bauer / Additional reporting: Elizabeth Liew
Photos: Pexels