From forgetting names of friends and family to misplacing belongings, it is important to be able to recognise the first signs of dementia in a loved one. Early diagnosis can lead to timely treatment of its symptoms, and although dementia cannot be cured, its symptoms can be managed and progression slowed.
Gaining awareness of the condition and how it develops over time and taking decisive steps in the early stages can lead to a better quality of life for your loved one. The decisions you make together following a diagnosis ensure that the appropriate help and support will be in place for your loved one when they need it most.
What is dementia?
Dementia is a term used to describe a set of symptoms that typically affect memory, cognition, and thinking. This condition can cause issues with language, problem-solving, and everyday tasks. Early symptoms may include slower responses, forgetting words, or losing track of what one was about to do.
As a progressive condition, dementia starts with mild symptoms that gradually worsen over time. Initially, individuals living with dementia may face few obstacles in their daily lives, but as the condition progresses, they may require regular and personalised support. It’s important to note that dementia symptoms vary from person to person. Seeking specialised dementia care from professionals who understand the nature of the condition can greatly benefit your loved one in managing their symptoms.
There are five common types of dementia:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Lewy body disease
- Vascular dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Mixed dementia
If you suspect that your loved one is exhibiting signs of dementia, it is crucial to have them checked and receive a proper diagnosis.
Why is spotting dementia early important?
In the early stages of dementia, the symptoms can be quite mild and most commonly include memory loss, confusion and difficulties with language, such as finding the right words in conversation. However, by spotting these symptoms early enough and receiving a timely diagnosis, steps can be taken to help manage the condition.
As well as ruling out other conditions, early diagnosis can help set your loved one on the right path in managing their symptoms effectively. Whilst dementia cannot be cured, its progression can be slowed down and its symptoms treated.
In addition, by spotting the signs early, it may be a good idea to start thinking about the future. Making plans about care, whether an individual wants to continue living at home, and also deciding who will manage their legal affairs when they no longer can are all important things to consider in the early stages of dementia when the symptoms are not having too much of an effect on decision-making capabilities.
Find out all you need to know about dementia, including the symptoms, stages, treatments and other useful resources in our dementia guide.
Do I have dementia?
If your loved one is beginning to exhibit the following early indications of dementia, booking an appointment with a healthcare practitioner can help to rule out or confirm a diagnosis of whether or not they have dementia.
Some of the symptoms to look out for include:
- Memory problems
- Difficulties in planning
- Issues with problem solving
- Problems with visual perception
- Disorientation
- Mood swings
- Behavioural difficulties
- Changes in emotion
- Confusion about time and places
- Language difficulties
- Poor concentration
Where to get help?
If your loved one is exhibiting the common early signs of dementia, you are not alone, as help is available. To take the following steps towards diagnosis and getting the support both you and your loved one need, seek guidance from the following:
See a GP
Take your loved one to see their local GP to confirm suspicions concerning any dementia early symptoms you may have noticed. Although individuals can go to see their GP alone, it is advisable to take a close family member or friend who can also relay any changes or symptoms they’ve noticed. With a firm diagnosis, the next steps to take will be clearer.
Specialist referral
Sometimes, dementia can be difficult to diagnose after a single trip to the GP. This is especially true in the early stages of dementia. If this is the case, your loved one may be referred to a specialist for further tests. CT scans, MRIs, and memory tests will typically be undertaken to assess whether an individual has dementia or not.
Support groups
Once dementia has been diagnosed, it may be a good idea to seek out local support groups. Attending support groups for people living with dementia can help your loved one come to terms with their diagnosis and better relate to others going through similar experiences. Support groups for dementia can help arrange activities and opportunities for socialising, organise transport, and offer advice and guidance on the condition.
Dementia care planning
Even after early diagnosis, when an individual is still relatively independent, care planning should be considered. As is the nature of dementia, it will progressively limit an individual’s ability to carry out day-to-day tasks and make it riskier to live alone. Beginning to plan care together in the early stages will ensure that support is in place before dementia starts to affect cognitive function, which could impair decision-making.
Considering live-in dementia care?
As part of dementia care planning, you and your loved one might want to consider the prospect of live-in dementia care. Live-in dementia care enables your loved one to remain in the familiar and safe surroundings of home whilst being cared for by an experienced dementia carer.
Live-in dementia care is completely tailored to your loved one’s needs and can help to manage the early symptoms of dementia as they progressively develop over time. With this form of care, individuals do not need to move out of the home they love. Live-in dementia care is often preferred by those living with dementia as it enhances rather than disrupts their daily routines.
How Trinity Homecare can help
The symptoms experienced by those living with dementia can grow increasingly difficult to manage alone. However, live-in dementia care can help support individuals and their families through each stage of this progressive condition. With the expert assistance of an experienced live-in dementia carer, the symptoms and changing nature of this condition can be safely managed in the comfort of your loved one’s own home.
Trinity Homecare is a fully managed care agency with an ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating, placing Trinity amongst the top 4% of all nationwide care companies in England. With this in mind, you can rest assured that your loved one will receive the highest standard of care and specialist support.
If you have any questions about arranging live-in dementia care, simply get in touch with our helpful and knowledgeable care team.
Arranging nationwide live-in dementia care with Trinity is straightforward. Simply follow these five steps:
- Call our care team
- Undergo a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your care needs and arrange a care assessment
- After the assessment, a plan of care is created
- A well suited carer is found and placed
- Care can be adapted at any time
