Johns Hopkins Health Alert
Red-Flag Changes in Mental Functioning
How can you tell if a friend or family member is beginning to exhibit signs of early dementia – or merely age-appropriate forgetfulness? In this health alert, Johns Hopkins provides six red-flag symptoms of early dementia.
Dementia refers to a significant intellectual decline that persists over time and affects several areas of cognition. Memory loss is a universal feature of dementia, but other functions are impaired as well, such as abstract thinking and language.
According to guidelines published by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, a person who has difficulty with one or more of the following activities should be evaluated for dementia:
- Dementia Symptom 1 -- Learning and retaining new information. The person regularly misplaces objects, has trouble remembering appointments or recent conversations, and is repetitive in conversations.
- Dementia Symptom 2 -- Handling complex tasks. The individual has trouble with previously familiar activities, such as balancing a checkbook, cooking a meal, or other tasks that involve a complex train of thought.
- Dementia Symptom 3 -- Ability to reason. The person does not respond appropriately to everyday problems, such as a flat tire. Or a previously responsible, well-adjusted person may display poor financial or social judgment.
- Dementia Symptom 4 -- Spatial ability and orientation. Driving and finding one's way in familiar surroundings become difficult or impossible, and the person may have problems recognizing known objects and landmarks.
- Dementia Symptom 5 -- Language. The ability to speak or comprehend is impaired, and the person may have problems following or participating in conversations.
- Dementia Symptom 6 -- Behavior. Personality changes emerge. For example, the person may appear more passive and less responsive than usual or more suspicious and irritable. Visual or auditory stimuli may be misinterpreted.
Posted in Memory on September 8, 2008
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
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