It can be difficult to distinguish signs of dementia in aging parents from other illnesses like Alzheimer’s or just simple aging. However, dementia can affect all aspects of their lives and make their day-to-day living much harder. So it’s important to try to figure out what’s truly going on if you are noticing some concerning things. You might be seeing communication problems. You might also just notice day-to-day problems like lost keys or things like that. Some dementia problems can change a person’s personality or even cause physical changes. If you are noticing these things, it’s important to get them the care they need. But it’s also important to talk to them about their wishes for their end-of-life care, as well as getting their affairs in order. It’s important to have these difficult conversations while they are still able to communicate effectively.
Signs of Dementia in Aging Parents: What to Look for and What to Do
Communication Problems
Some of the early signs of dementia in aging parents are problems with communication. And this can show up in several different ways. You might notice that they have a hard time finding words when they talk. They might also confuse times and places. They might forget people’s names as well, even close family members or friends. And finally, you might notice that they seem to struggle with understanding things.
Day to Day Problems
Some of the other signs of dementia in aging parents show up in their day-to-day lives. They might just be seeming to have a harder time navigating the world than they used to. It might be as simple as forgetting their keys often, or forgetting where they parked. But it could also be larger issues like not remembering how to read, how to find their way home, or showing poor judgment.
Personality Changes
Finally, you might notice some personality changes as part of the signs of dementia in aging parents. They might have mood swings or even a total change in their personality. Sometimes they develop a lot of fear around typical day-to-day things. For example, if they often get lost, simply leaving the home can be stressful. And finally, they might have some trouble walking and begin to be more unsteady on their feet.
What to Do
If you notice any of these signs of dementia in aging parents, it’s time to take some action. You need to take them to a medical professional. It’s also important to begin discussions about where they will live and when to give up driving. And finally, you might want to begin discussions of their will and estate. It’s important to have these conversations before things progress too much because they need to be of sound mind. Getting their legal affairs in order, as well as learning how they want their end of care life to look can ease your stress. At least you will know how they want to be taken care of and can focus on giving them support and comfort.
There are a lot of different signs of dementia in aging parents that you need to be on the lookout for. Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and aging can all look very similar. Therefore, it’s helpful to keep a log of any odd behaviors and to follow up with a doctor. You might notice issues with their communication and ability to remember things. You might also notice problems with their day-to-day life, like getting lost. And finally, you might notice that they have personality changes or even physical symptoms. If you are seeing these signs, it’s time to start having some tough but important legal conversations about how they want to be taken care of as their health declines. You also need to know how they’d like to set up their estate. Getting these discussions out of the way can give you the freedom to simply focus on their care.