Until recently, many people believed that memory loss signaled the start of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
But in a recent study, researchers found that there may be other early warning signs of dementia. Here’s what you should know about these surprising symptoms:
- Changes in food cravings: This is particularly true if a new preference for sweets is noticed, but can also include expired or even rotten food. This is because dementia can alter the parts of the brain affecting appetite and taste.
- New criminal behaviors: Recognizing and following social rules and conventions is attributed to a part of the brain that can be affected by one particular type of dementia, frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
- Inability to recognize sarcasm: Losing the ability to understand certain types of communication, such as sarcasm, lying and insincere speech might be an early sign of dementia.
- Hoarding: Dementia has been linked to compulsive and ritualistic behaviors, such as hoarding.
Researchers conducted the study by asking a group of 2,400 healthy adults about their mental and physical health. They then followed up with the same adults seven years later and tracked changes to their health during that time.
The study results also indicate there may be a connection between the underlying causes of depression and those of dementia, with nearly twice as many of those with depression also showing early signs of dementia.
Be sure to check with the doctor about any concerns related to depression or early-stage dementia, and read more about the signs of dementia from Prevention.com.
At Independence-4-Seniors Home Care, which provides senior home care services in Cook, DuPage, Will and Kane counties, we provide our caregivers with specialized, ongoing training in Alzheimer’s and dementia care through the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Contact us to arrange for a free Alzheimer’s home care assessment or to learn more about how we can assist your loved one with depression or dementia.