8 Signs of Early-Onset Dementia and What to Do about Them

Every year, early-onset dementia and its various conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease – the most common illness related to cognitive decline – affect an increasing number of people under the age of sixty-five.

According to the Dementia Society of America, more than nine million people live with some form of dementia, and, in 2019, all the forms of dementia combined were globally estimated to be the second leading cause of death, behind heart disease in high-income countries.

Signs of early-onset dementia affect approximately 200,000 people under sixty-five in the US. These symptoms can appear in a person’s forties or fifties, and as the cognitive decline is typically associated with older age groups, can be missed, or misunderstood.

If you have experienced any or a combination of these signs, be sure to consult a medical professional, who can help you ascertain what the cause behind them is. While there is no cure for dementia, there are lifestyle changes that can be made to slow the deterioration rate and enhance one’s quality of life.

It is sometimes the case that the loved one of someone exhibiting signs of early onset dementia is the first to pick up on irregularities. Again, while it is difficult to come to grips with the reality of what this diagnosis will mean for the caregiver, it is better to have sought professional medical input in the early stages of symptoms.

Eight signs of early-onset dementia

The eight most common signs of early-onset dementia include the following.

Memory loss

Short-term memory loss is likely one of the first noticeable signs of early-onset dementia. A person might not recall a recent conversation, or details of an event that a person with full cognitive function would have no trouble remembering, even if they needed to be reminded of it.

Linked to memory loss is a forgetfulness about the location of personal possessions – most people lose their car keys, wallets, glasses, and other frequently used items at some point; but if this occurs more than can be considered “normal”, then it is worth checking in with an expert to see that signs of early onset dementia are not present. A common occurrence is the placing of personal items in strange locations, for example, car keys in the freezer.

Daily confusion

A somewhat frightening sign of early-onset dementia is an increasing sense of confusion regarding day-to-day events. A person might wake up and feel confused about what day, month, or year it is, and even feel like their home is an unfamiliar place. This can be challenging in the work environment, considering that early-onset dementia affects people who are not typically retired.

Not being able to perform everyday tasks and perhaps not recognizing known people (either by face or by name) can start slowly but increase in frequency as the dementia progresses. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can improve this aspect of early-onset dementia, and it can be frustrating and embarrassing for the person experiencing the confusion.

Personality and mood changes

Perhaps less recognized, but quite typical signs of early-onset dementia include personality and mood changes. A person who once had a patient and calm demeanor can become irritable and angry, which can be a result of their frustration in forgetting things and being able to perform routine tasks.

The changes can also be unexpected – a shy, quiet person might start to exhibit extroverted behaviors and inconsistencies that will appear confusing to loved ones and those they interact with daily.

Depression

Feeling isolated from one’s previous life and unsettled by the signs of early-onset dementia can certainly lead to depression. It is also a symptom of the condition itself, as is apathy and emotional numbness. Of course, depression can result in several different scenarios, so would only be considered a symptom in conjunction with some of the more obvious signs of early-onset dementia.

Challenges with everyday activities

A person who has cooked a specific dish from memory for years on end might suddenly find it difficult to do all the steps involved, and this could be a sign of early-onset dementia. Likewise, they could struggle to operate appliances in their home or find filling in a form or signing a document puzzling and taxing.

Once again, this is a scary situation to find oneself in, and often the person experiencing the difficulty in performing everyday tasks might start to camouflage their challenges, to prevent embarrassment.

Language difficulties

One of the common signs of early-onset dementia is difficulty finding the right word when speaking. This is challenging as it occurs during the course of conversation and can cause slowness of speech as the person struggles to articulate themselves. In fear of forgetting words, the individual might become quieter and more withdrawn, only contributing with short phrases, and not expressing their opinion or initiating a topic.

Decline in spatial skills

Reversing into lamp posts and getting involved in fender bender accidents can be common for individuals showing signs of early-onset dementia. This is due to a decline in spatial judgment, where the person cannot accurately quantify the distance between themselves and other objects. This symptom can also lead to the individual getting lost, as they cannot discern orientation and follow directions.

Lack of concentration

While concentration issues are common across numerous illnesses and conditions, the inability to focus on a task or keep a train of thought is a common sign of early-onset dementia. This is a result of the impact of the disease on the brain’s hippocampus region, which plays an important role in learning and memory. A person struggling with early symptoms will struggle to learn new things.

Combating the signs

While there is no cure for dementia, many lifestyle habits have been identified that can help decrease the risk of developing symptoms. They are also important in maintaining a good quality of life for those affected, as the illness progresses.

Eat for the best brain health

A diet rich in whole grains, fruit and vegetables, beans, and healthy fats is important for maximizing one’s brain health. On the opposite end of the scale, sugars, processed foods, and saturated fats have been linked to causing inflammation, which increases the risk of dementia.

Move your body, move your mind

A regular exercise routine can stimulate the brain and decrease the rate at which signs of early-onset dementia make their appearance. This does not have to be extremely vigorous, especially if one hasn’t exercised much before, but should be comprised of movement of at least 150 minutes a week.

Doing puzzles and engaging in brain training activities is an excellent way to slow down the effects of dementia. It’s about creating new neural pathways and activating old ones through a mental challenge.

Stay connected to a community

God has made us to live in community and not experience isolation. Even though it can become increasingly difficult to socialize due to signs of early-onset dementia, a person needs to make every effort to keep connected. Being a part of a church community means that you will be supported through prayer and in practical ways, as the body of Christ lives out what it means to love each other.

Adopt a healthy sleep schedule

Science shows how detrimental a sleep deficit can be to brain health. If you are not getting your full night’s quota of sleep, make every effort to get to bed in time to get a restorative rest.

Of course, it is difficult to control all aspects of the signs of early-onset dementia, but being vigilant over what you can control is a good way to keep one’s morale up. For spouses and family members or friends, it also gives a practical outlet for caring for the person affected.

There is not much that is positive about early onset dementia, but, as God’s children, we can expect that He will give us the grace needed to sustain the decline, as well as to care for loved ones who are suffering.

If you are concerned about a family member who may be exhibiting early-onset dementia and would like to speak to a counselor who can support you while supporting your family member, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.