After a lifetime of providing trusted guidance, it can be unsettling to discover that your parent or grandparent is dealing with memory loss. However, by learning about the early signs of dementia, you can prepare for what’s to come and make the transition easier for everyone. Use the following guide to learn what to look out for as your loved one’s caregiver.

How to Tell if Your Loved One Has Dementia

1. Disinterest in Socializing

When you head over to your parent’s house, pay attention to the way they react to your presence and that of your spouse or children. Are they excited to engage in conversation, or are you the one encouraging all the social activity? Also, observe them in the presence of their friends. If your parent seems to be disinterested in talking or having fun with those around them, or they’re just staying at home by themselves more often, they may be displaying early signs of dementia.

2. Trouble Communicating

As dementia progresses, the brain starts to lose bits and pieces of data, which can be frustrating when trying to convey a thought or request. As a result, you might hear your parent struggle to finish a sentence or replace a common word with a descriptive phrase. For example, they might be unable to think of the word fridge and, instead, say the thing that keeps things cold. 

Additionally, you might ask them to write down a grocery list and return to see crossed out parts of words. If your elderly parent is having trouble communicating what’s on their mind, it might be more than a momentary lapse in judgment.

3. Mood Swings

One of the most disturbing consequences of dementia is its ability to change your loved one’s personality. While everyone goes through hormonal changes and reacts to external stimuli, dementia can cause drastic differences in personality. For example, a mother who may have loved to play music or spend time outdoors may leave their piano or sneakers to gather dust. You might also see those with generally optimistic and agreeable outlooks become argumentative and depressed. If their mood doesn’t seem to return to normal in a couple of weeks, it may be fundamental cognitive changes. 

If your parent or grandparent has shown any of these warning signs, contact Deer Valley Home Health Services. They provide families in Berkeley, St. Charles, and St. Louis, MO, with compassionate in-home caregivers. That way, you’ll have enough time to tend to your own needs and those of your children, while your elderly loved one remains taken care of. To learn more about their services and caregiver selection process, visit the website. Call (314) 355-3679 to speak with a staff member.