Sign 1: Subtle Memory Lapses
Forgetting a recent chat but recalling childhood vividly? Early dementia often hits short-term memory first. Studies note these lapses are inconsistent, unlike aging’s occasional slip. Clara misplaced keys daily but remembered old recipes. You might think, “Just aging?” Check frequency. The next sign clouds decisions.
Sign 2: Trouble with Planning
Struggling to follow a budget or recipe? Dementia can impair executive function, per a 2021 Journal of Alzheimer’s Research. Clara fumbled her grocery list’s math. That furrowed brow over simple steps? Telling. Wondering about mood swings? They’re next.
Sign 3: Mood Shifts Without Cause
Snapping over small things? Early dementia may disrupt emotional regulation, as noted in Neuropsychiatry reviews. Clara grew irritable during card games, unlike her usual cheer. Her family felt the tension. “Just stress?” Maybe, but patterns matter. The next sign slows daily tasks.
Sign 4: Difficulty with Familiar Tasks
Trouble tying shoelaces or using a phone? Early dementia can disrupt routine skills. Research highlights apraxia as a marker. Clara struggled to set her table correctly. That hesitant fumble? A red flag. But there’s a language twist coming.
