According to Katherine Rankin, a neuropsychologist at the University of California , any change in a person's usual behaviour or abilities can be a cause for concern, reports the Express . While these symptoms should prompt a visit to the doctor, Dr Rankin says it's important to note they are not "signs of dementia unless they are a change from someone's previous behaviour."
Frequent falling could be an early signal of Alzheimer's disease researchers say.
One study, published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience in 2021, found older people who later develop Alzheimer's disease are more likely to fall in the years before their diagnosis than those who don't have the condition.
"People will come into our office concerned because they forgot what was on their grocery list last week, but when their spouse says they've fallen four times in the past year, that's a sign of a problem," Dr Rankin explained. Regular falls could indicate other brain disorders as well.
Anti-social behavior
Dementia can lead to a loss of understanding of social norms and the law. A review in Cortex journal suggests that those with dementia might exhibit inappropriate behaviour or even engage in criminal acts.
This is particularly concerning when out-of-character actions occur in individuals in their thirties and forties, which could be an early sign of dementia. Dr Rankin noted: "Obviously, the majority of people engaging in those behaviours don't have dementia. It's only when a previously law-abiding citizen starts to steal or do other things that are out of character that it becomes a concern for dementia."
Eye sight problems
People with dementia may also suffer from "reduced gaze", making them appear to be staring and causing difficulties with reading.
While the person with dementia might not notice this, it is often apparent to those around them.
Eating strange things
Additionally, they might eat objects or rancid food without realising it.
Consuming non-food items or out-of-date foods can also be an unexpected symptom. For instance, a person with dementia might attempt to eat a flower from a restaurant table because, as Rankin explains, they "know they are there to eat but don't know what the flower is doing there."
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