Dementia or
Just Ageing?
You’re likely here because your loved one is showing signs of memory problems or unfamiliar behaviour. This guide aims to help you better distinguish the signs of dementia and navigate the early stages of detection.
Should I be worrying?
Below are some of the main symptoms of the most common types of dementia, which are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. People with either condition are likely to show at least a few of these symptoms.
However, such changes may be caused by other health conditions, such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), stress or possibly depression.
Hence, take the below as a guide, rather as a means to diagnose dementia in your loved one. Dementia can only be diagnosed by a qualified medical professional, and misidentifying the condition may lead to more anxiety as you worry for your loved one, and less effective ways of coping with it.
What is Dementia really?
Did you know that Dementia is not a disease in itself, but a group of symptoms?
These include a serious decline in memory, thinking and cognitive abilities, and behavioural changes, to the extent of affecting one’s day-to-day function.
Dementia is not a natural part of getting older. The cause can vary between the different types of dementia. You may have heard of Alzheimer’s disease, which is one of the most common types of dementia, but there are also some lesser known conditions, though less common.
Vascular dementia
Lewy body dementia
Frontotemporal dementia
There is more detailed information on Singapore’s DementiaHub website.
The symptoms progress gradually
Dementia is progressive, which means symptoms may start off relatively mild, but get worse over time. This is one reason why many people tend to wait for a “defining incident” to give dementia significance. But there are signs that you can watch out for, instead of waiting for the symptoms worsen. By identifying it earlier than later, it can help with coming up with strategies to cope.
Why does Dementia happen to some people and not others?
Dementia is not a natural part of getting older. Instead of a single cause, there are multiple factors that increase the risk of someone developing dementia. These include both a variety of factors from family history to lifestyle habits.
Dementia in younger people
While dementia is more likely to affect older people above 65, sometimes it can affect those as young as in their 30s. This is called young onset dementia (YOD).
How can I support my loved one?
If it’s seems there isn’t a clear sign of dementia
As dementia is progressive, it may be helpful to still keep an eye out for worsening signs of memory loss or cognitive function. Ms Wang Yu Hsuan, Director of Advocacy at social service agency Montfort Care, also advises to keep an open mind to other possible conditions or factors that may influence the mood and behaviour of our loved one.
If you’re still worried that it is more than just ageing
The most straightforward suggestion we can give is to seek a medical opinion. By seeing a doctor, you can have a clearer idea of your loved one’s condition, and gain access to more relevant support. It can be reassuring to understand if it is dementia, what stage it is at, what you can to anticipate moving forward.
It may also help to check out the following pages:
Adapting to Unfamiliar Behaviours
How do you care for Grandpa and yourself?
What’s going to happen if Grandpa does have dementia? How should you react when he does something unusual? How do you communicate with him about his symptoms?
Reaching Out for Support
Resources, courses and getting advice
When you’re ready, where do you see a doctor? What are the pros and cons of getting a diagnosis? Need financial assistance, help caring for Dad, or just a listening ear?