Early stage dementia

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Wed, 07/09/2011 - 5:19pm

A person with early stage Alzheimer's disease is usually physically healthy and functioning reasonably well. Memory loss is one of the first signs of dementia but is often overlooked.

Family members may be the first to notice changes in a person’s behaviour or personality. Particular character traits may become more exaggerated or a person may start behaving out of character.

People in early stage dementia may lose their temper, or be more frustrated and stressed than usual as they struggle to cope with changes in memory and cognition. It is not until a diagnosis is made that the early warning signs become more apparent.

Signs of early stage dementia may include:

Problems with language, finding the correct words for objects and getting muddled in a conversation
Problems with memory, forgetting recent events, appointments, whether they have done something
Telling the same story over again
Frequently lose things or accuse others of stealing items
Difficulty handling finances
Difficulty learning new things
Slower to perform routine everyday tasks
Withdrawn or frustrated behaviour
Disorientated in unfamiliar surroundings
Poor judgment and decision-making

Caring for someone with early stage dementia

If you are caring for a person who has been diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s disease there are many things you can do to help. It is important to try to encourage someone to remain independent. You will need to provide a lot of support and encouragement to a person in the early stages of dementia.

Symptoms of early dementia can also be exacerbated by stress and anxiety. A large part of the caring role is keeping someone healthy by ensuring they eat well, exercise and get enough rest. It is important to encourage people with dementia to continue with any hobbies or interests they find enjoyable.

You will need to organise financial and legal affairs as soon as possible. This may be difficult but discussing the issues early on allows the person you care for to make decisions about how they expect to be cared for in the future.

Contact your local Alzheimer’s Association for support and information. They conduct many courses for people living with memory loss and their carers.

Helpful resources

The National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 is a free service for people with dementia, their carers and family.
Contact Alzheimer's Australia for information about dementia and carer support.