early dementia warning signs

Welcome to the place where I share dementia tips, strategies, and information for family members caring for a loved one with any type of dementia (such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, etc.)

In today’s video, I’m sharing 10 signs that suggest you or someone you know may be showing signs of cognitive decline. I’ve been receiving messages lately from people concerned that someone they know may have dementia. All of us forget things from time to time and may even have trouble finding our words. However, some signs/symptoms are little red flags that should be checked out by a doctor. The more signs you have, the more important it is for you to go to the doctor to get checked out. Now just because you show these symptoms doesn’t mean that you have dementia, it just means that something is happening and it’s important to get it checked out.
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Find out: "why you should lie to your loved one with dementia"
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In case you haven’t met me, my name is Natali Edmonds and I am a board certified geropsychologist. That means that I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with older adults. One day, while hiking a trail, I came up with the idea for Careblazers and I decided to see if posting videos online could provide help to the many other Careblazers in the world who don’t get to have help come directly to them in their homes. I hope that this work helps you in some way on your caregiving journey.
#careblazer #dementia #dementiacare

[marrianner.]

My husband is 88 and dementia started during 2020 but I recognize that the previous 8 or 9 years, his anger was so increased. Slowly during that time, anger fits over nothing. That's when I discussed with the doctor. Also, his "living in the past" with those bad memories and regrets. He is 16 years older than I am. And, I believe in 2020, the confusion with pill refills, computer challenges, paperwork of mail, long scratch on the car, almost running into someone, some irrational ludicrous thinking, etc. It destroys marital relationships.

[thejrc]

My husband paid the bills I knew there was a problem when our utilities were cut off and he felt there was a conspiracy with the bills being so confusing that they were double charging us. There were so many clues before this. Thing is, his CT did not show shrinkage and the only thing he couldn’t do on the office test was remember the 3 items. Yet he couldn’t make and keep an appointment. I think detecting Alzheimer’s is very confusing at first. He was bizarre one day and so normal the next!

[montanacrone]

I remember my grandpa going through his shopping list after I bought the groceries. Checking each item off. Double checking the receipt, recalculating the tax. It hurt my feelings that he didn’t t trust me. I’d never borrowed a red cent from him or grandma. Later, I realized it was his insecurity. Heartbreaking.

[benparker]

Wow!! i wish I had seen this video about 10 years ago. I dont think it would have changed the outcome, but it would have helped me be more confident and secure in the decisions I made. Dealing with my parents dementia was not necessarily bad, rather confusing and overwhelming. I felt so helpless and hopeless. When I accepted my Mother's situation for what it was, it became "OK". If she said she really wanted French Fries, we made it a mission to get her the best fries!! When she wanted to go to her Papa's rode around until she was satisfied he was taking care of his farm. We or "I" saw a lot of beautiful sunsets....I just stopped trying to make her see things "right". I rolled with it. True story....when my phone rang and she answered my pack of chewing let her speak her peace and I played the person on the other end of the phone. She was alright with it, I guess but she did warn me i would be in big trouble if my "Mom" found out I was skipping school. Let them be happy in the moment they are in at that moment. I suppose Mom was teaching me lessons right up to the end. Thanks for posting this video and Peace and Comfort to everyone facing this situation.

[ronan]

I was caretaker for my mom....I watched an incredibly smart Surgical RN ....go to the end....its was the most painful thing I have ever gone through....God Bless any caretakers out is traumatic....I found her a place when it got to much for me...I wasnt going to wash her....she died recently....terrible....not as bad as a sudden death....because the whole illness took 4 years...we were all prepared....My doctor put me on Celexa...because of what i went through...almost PTSD symptoms...Its a terrible illness....

[elainegraczyk]

Thank you very much. 😊 My husband was tested - stage 5 🙏🏻 u have been instrumental in my communicating with my Frank. This has made a world of difference.

[happydays]

I read this definition of forgetfulness vs Alzheimers: if you can't find your keys it's forgetfulness but if you can't remember what keys are for you've got dementia.

[h]

You know, I think I have early warning signs. I don't think I'm exaggerating or imagining. I have to figure out if my behavior is just eccentric (because I have at least ONE in each of those catagories), before I go get an evaluation. My dad has stage 6 Lewy Body Dementia, and your videos have been extremely helpful to my family and I.

[charmaineshen]

Have just recently started watching your channel, and it is really helping me to deal with my husband's dementia a lot. Thank you!

[justsaying]

I have been with a man for 20 + years and am seeing a few signs, we are not togeather but in resent time he has had a few fights with his heart. So i have come back into his life to help and just do all i can to make his life more comfortable. We were togeather for 20 years or so and best friends for about 7 anyway wanted to share. Thankx

[nadaleenbrady]

My dad had dementia/Alzheimer's he had it for 10 yrs until he died. It was a long goodbye as we had him at home. Very true with the signs.

[donnamontanarella]

Dr. Natali, both of my parents have dementia. I have just recently found you and your very informative videos. You have already helped me immensely! Thank you very much! I appreciate that your videos are short and to the point and easy to listen to. I am trying to watch several a day and will be sharing the information with my family members. Information is power! It helps me understand my parents better and consequently enables me to give them more effective care.

[christinelarochelle]

I've been watching your videos my mom passed a week ago and had ftd dementia. She was diagnosed 3 years ago. She will be greatly missed!

[joeywall]

Thank you for cutting right to the chase on this list and giving us unambiguous examples.

[karenfocht]

My husband is showing signs of dementia. I seem to be the only one who sees this. A few close friends have noticed anger, not understanding how to play card games that he has been playing for years. . No help from his doctor. When I found you on you tube, I don't feel all alone. Thank you.

[debwillms]

I think it starts much earlier than this. My husband is 72, has T2 diabetes that is not well controlled. I’ve noticed in the last 2 years he is more anxious, he can’t quite remember where he has to go when he is driving if he hasn’t been there for 1 month. He can’t remember words or sometimes makes up a word for the one he can’t grasp. He’s become a bit of a drama queen whereas he was always calm and cool. Changes in his personality. But he can still ace a memory test.

[freakingtv]

My dad keeps accusing me of rude behavior that didn’t come from me but from him. He’s gotten so irritable and aggressive. He also has become hyper religious and keeps accusing me that the devil is speaking for me whenever I question him.

[raybon]

My mom is 75 lost in conversations occasionally, not knowing the year. Forgetting to pay bills. Loosing her keys hourly. Responding to junk mail. Obsession with hearing a transistor radio. Definitely 100 percent forgetting her appointments. Can't remember things from a few hours before. The rest of the symptoms you outlined she isn't displaying much of yet. I am being thrusted into this. It is Alot like piloting a sail boat around the horn. You are essentially dealing with the depths of neurological functions. Of a weaker but slightly more over compensating brain has to throw at you. Such as, displaying, a symptom but perfectly masquerading it with a normal personality, and social normalness. At the moment she isn't showing the rest of those symptoms yet. My current status. This second week of July. Is, I am just trying to help get her bills current. Then take her to her neurologist this Friday. And hope she is diagnosed with something not so serious. But I have a feeling she will be diagnosed with an onset. Of, a Neuro degenerative condition. Hopefully she won't.

[CatSueC]

I've been concerned with a deterioration in my spelling skill, but it's still better than the person who did the posters/closed captioning for this.

[kaymuldoon]

My dad has dementia. He never remembers to take his medication about 95% of the time. He hasn’t driven in the past year as his doctor said he can no longer drive (due to the dementia).