


Senior Care in Seminole FL: 5 Signs of Dementia
Many family caregivers worry about their older relatives having dementia. They may wonder if the senior’s behavior and memory are normal. Knowing the signs of dementia can either allay your fears or prompt you to seek medical care. Below are 5 signs that an older adult may have dementia.
#1: Problematic Memory Loss
Everyone misplaces their keys or reading glasses now and then. That’s perfectly normal. However, if your aging relative’s memory loss is causing problems in their day-to-day life, it could be dementia. In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, memory loss is one of the most common symptoms. People in the early stages of the disease have difficulty retaining newly learned information, so they may forget about appointments, recent events, or conversations. You might notice them relying heavily on writing notes and setting reminders on a smartphone.
#2: Apathy
Apathy is a lack of interest in usual activities. People with early stage dementia may seem uninterested in activities and hobbies they used to enjoy. Someone who used to be an avid sports fan may stop following their favorite team. It’s also common for seniors with dementia to not want to engage with friends and family members. They may stop attending morning coffee gatherings or a weekly lunch with a group of friends or be disinterested in grandchildren visiting.
#3: Making Bad Decisions
Dementia can rob your aging relative of their ability to make good decisions. They might fall for a scam that others would readily identify. They may also make bad financial decisions. Their poor judgement may also extend to their personal hygiene. An older adult with dementia may stop paying attention to how they look or whether they are clean.
#4: Difficulty Planning Tasks
You might discover that your older family member is behind in paying their bills or having trouble managing their checking account. Dementia can make doing tasks that require multiple steps hard because the senior cannot plan the steps to follow. Even following the steps of a recipe can be a challenge because they don’t make sense.
#5: Personality Changes
Personality changes are a common sign of dementia. A senior who was always easy going may suddenly be irritable and “fly off the handle” easily. They might become suspicious and accuse people of stealing from them. They could also become depressed or anxious.
If your older family member has dementia, senior care can assist with their daily care. A senior care provider can make the difference in your loved one being able to remain safely at home rather than entering a long-term care facility. Senior care providers can come to the house to keep them safe, happy, and comfortable while family caregivers are at work or spending time with other family members. Senior care can even offer overnight care.
Sources
https://alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs
https://www.verywellhealth.com/memory-changes-98605
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Senior Care in Seminole, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.