Is it dementia or just forgetfulness? 5 Clues to Help Tell the Difference

As you get older, you’re more likely to forget a word, where you left your vehicle keys or the name of a friend you ran into at the market.

These little memory lapses occur. They, like creaking knees, wrinkled skin, and impaired eyesight, are a natural part of growing older.

It can help with:

• Make notes for yourself.
• Every day, put your keys in the same spot.
• Play crossword puzzles or play word games.

Most of the time, memory lapses aren’t a reason for worry. “However, if you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, you should consult your doctor.”

So, how can you tell the difference between little mistakes and something more serious? A lasting shift in our ability to think and perform is the most crucial thing to look for. Here are five hints.

Forgetfulness and Dementia?

The term “dementia” refers to a collection of symptoms that include problems with memory, logic, judgment, language, and other mental functions. Dementia often develops slowly, worsens with time, and affects a person’s ability to work, connect socially, and develop relationships.

One of the earliest or more noticeable indicators of dementia is forgetfulness which disturbs your life.

Here we present the clues that help tell the difference between Dementia or Forgetfulness:

• Are you constantly misplacing items and unable to locate them? We all misplace items. It is a common concern due to busy life. Yes, if we’re moving too quickly on a hectic morning, we may even put the cornflakes box in the refrigerator. It’s natural to put things in the incorrect place, and it’s also natural to realize our error or retrace our steps to discover the keys buried behind today’s stack of mail.What isn’t: Being unable to locate lost items, placing them in more strange locations, and developing the suspicion—without evidence—that your goods have been stolen.
• Do you have trouble keeping track of time, date, or season? We all forget what day of the week it is now and again, but we typically recall or figure it out rather fast. Worse: forgetting what day it is, what time it is, or how much time has passed—and then realizing you’ve forgotten. In addition, despite scheduling appointments on the calendar and receiving frequent reminders from relatives, You are unable to remember or even miss them. These are all the obvious symptoms of dementia.
• Are your conversations getting stalled? From time to time, we all have to look for the proper word. And it’s natural for this to happen more frequently as we age. What it isn’t: great trouble recalling words, mispronouncing things and persons, and withdrawing socially as a result. Following, entering, or continuing a conversation (you may stop talking in the middle of a thought and not know what to say next) or even following a narrative on television may be a warning indicator for dementia risk.
• Do you get lost in familiar places? It is common to become lost while driving, walking, or using public transit to a new location. It’s also possible to become so absorbed in your travel (or your thoughts) that you have to reposition yourself to figure out where you are.What’s not: Driving or walking for an extended period of time without recognizing you’re lost or entirely forgetting where you are, and not asking for help in these situations might be an indication of dementia. You may also lose your ability to read a map or follow landmarks and traffic signs, or you may forget how you arrived in a new area.
• Do memory lapses cause problems in everyday life? It’s natural to forget the name of your neighbor’s dog.What it isn’t: Being unable to carry out daily duties in the same manner as before, necessitating the assistance of family or specialists.From a doctor’s perspective, one of the most serious problems is medication management, such as forgetting to take prescriptions or taking them wrongly. It’s time to see your doctor if you or a loved one is having trouble managing medicine properly.

Nutshell –

The best option available to help seniors with dementia is to give them a safe environment at home. Caregivers at Silver Sitters are prominently skilled and experienced to assist clients with Alzheimer’s and Dementia care. We aim to provide absolute safety and security with the assistance of these clients in the comfort of their homes.