What is attributable to normal aging as opposed to cognitive decline associated with dementia?
It is common to misplace keys or eyeglasses or walk into a room with a task in mind and forget what that is. Those are often attributable to multitasking or stress and are considered part of normal aging.
“It’s one thing to find your glasses on your head — it is something else to find them in the freezer,” said [social worker] Lisa Rindner.
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“People have a remarkable way to mask decline,” Rindner said. “It may take a while before you see red flags.”
Here are some things to look for:
- Notes with reminders about simple tasks.
- When neighbors or friends share concern.
- Bills not paid or overpaid.
- Physical appearance — someone who was always put together suddenly wears wrinkled or dirty clothing.
- Weight changes.
- Driving issues: fender benders, parking in the wrong spot.
- Any behavior that is out of the ordinary.
- Picking up an object and using it inappropriately.
- Saying things that are inappropriate — “no filter.”
- Changes in speech, personality.
Read full, original post: ‘Well, that was a weird moment’ and other signs of dementia family members should watch for
