Dementia Signs You Need to Know, Say Experts

Dementia is a disorder that affects almost 55 million worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases every year, according to the World Health Organization with "over 60% living in low- and middle-income countries. As the proportion of older people in the population is increasing in nearly every country, this number is expected to rise to 78 million in 2030 and 139 million in 2050." The Alzheimer's Association defines dementia as " a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia." While most people with dementia don't realize they have it, family and friends are usually the ones to take notice of the symptoms and encourage medical help. Eat This, Not That! Health talked to Dr. Fawad Yousuf, neurologist at Baptist Health's Marcus Neuroscience Institute who explained the six signs to watch out for.  

Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Dr. Yousuf says, "Signs of dementia include difficulty with executive function, which includes working memory, cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control (self-control). Some examples of this include impaired attention, forgetting events, repeating oneself and memory loss that disrupts life."

"If you were responsible for your household finances and now have trouble paying bills or managing them altogether, this may be a sign of dementia," Dr. Yousuf states.

Dr. Yousuf explains, "Poor judgment is a frequent sign of dementia, including difficulty judging distances or habitually misplacing house/car keys."

According to Dr. Yousuf, "Paying less attention to personal hygiene, trouble taking care of a pet and keeping a clean and tidy home can be signals of dementia." 

"Dementia can be flagged if you or your loved one is having problems driving to places, including navigating and/or getting lost while driving," Dr. Yousuf says.

Dr. Yousuf  says, "Some psychological/behavioral issues can be red flags for dementia, including feeling easily upset, depression, mood changes, delusions, apathy, and aggression." And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.