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Elder Care and Signs of Dementia

As most people know, the number one sign of dementia for most people is significant memory loss, with the type of memory loss often being limited to short-term memory. Usually the people who notice the serious memory loss are family members who interact with the individual on a day-to-day basis. According to an article recently published online by Haven Behavioral Hospital, "Typically, long term memory, such as childhood events or major life events, remains intact, while the more recent short term happenings tend to be lost. Additionally, struggle for correct language can be an issue along with reasoning or problem-solving issues."

Everyday tasks that may seem routine or remedial, like driving to a family member's home or operating a can opener, may cause a lot of frustration and seem overwhelming.

Haven Behavioral Hospital goes on to say about the cognitive issues involved with dementia that "Psychologically, you might notice a change in personality with someone who struggles with dementia. These symptoms may present themselves in the form of increased level of anxiety or agitation and in extreme cases, paranoia. Most dementia patients struggle with depression and some even begin to exhibit inappropriate behavior or describe hallucinations in vivid detail."
If you or your loved one show signs of dementia, we can offer guidance about the legal and financial consequences of dementia.