Identifying the early warning signs of dementia is vital as early detection enables families and healthcare professionals to implement preventative measures that can delay some of the most severe symptoms and help people maintain a better quality of life.

Spotting the initial indicators of dementia is crucial, as early identification allows families and healthcare providers to adopt preventive strategies that can postpone the progression of severe symptoms and enhance the individual’s quality of life.

The Alzheimer’s Society UK emphasizes, “Although no cure for dementia exists yet, noticing the early signs and symptoms remains critical.

“With clinical trials yielding promising outcomes, obtaining an early and precise diagnosis will be essential to identify candidates for disease-modifying treatments as they become accessible.

“It’s also vital to remember that numerous methods exist to support individuals in living well with dementia, even when medications to slow its progression are absent.”

The New York Times has pointed out five commonly overlooked symptoms that manifest during the early stages of dementia.

While memory loss is the most commonly associated symptom of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s, it is important to recognize that it’s just one of several early signs to be mindful of.

If they persist over time or if several appear simultaneously, it’s crucial to seek a medical professional’s advice.

Five signs of potential dementia you should not ignore

1. Changes in personality

A study led by Angelina Sutin, a behavioural sciences professor at Florida State University, discovered that individuals with dementia often exhibit personality changes before cognitive decline becomes apparent. Decreases in extroversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were noted, with these changes accelerating as the disease progresses.

These shifts can be observed in daily behaviour. For instance, diminished extroversion might present as social withdrawal or a dwindling social circle.

According to Sutin, these signs are easier to spot than memory loss.

2. Struggling with driving

Difficulty with driving can be one of the earliest indicators of cognitive decline, potentially appearing years before other symptoms, says Ganesh Babulal, a neurology professor at Washington University in St. Louis.

Driving involves multiple cognitive systems, and any impairment can heighten the risk of accidents. While age-related physical issues, such as impaired vision or side effects from medication, can also contribute, it’s important to stay alert to these changes.

3. Loss of smell

The loss of smell is one of the earliest indicators of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s. The olfactory system, responsible for our sense of smell, often suffers damage years or even decades before other symptoms manifest.

Unlike hearing or vision loss, which are risk factors for dementia but not directly caused by it, a diminished sense of smell is an early symptom of these conditions.

Each disease impacts the sense of smell in unique ways: in Alzheimer’s, smells can be detected but are often misidentified, while in Parkinson’s and dementia with Lewy bodies, odours may not be perceived at all, potentially providing a crucial clue for early detection.

4. Struggling to sleep well

Sleep disturbances are common in older age, but significant changes, such as waking up at 3am or struggling to stay awake during the day, could be signs of dementia.

Areas of the brain that regulate sleep, like the brainstem, are among the first to be affected in Alzheimer’s, leading to sleep disruptions years before memory issues arise.

In dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s, a REM sleep behaviour disorder may develop, where individuals physically act out their dreams through movements or vocalisations, due to damage to the brain cells that control paralysis during this sleep phase.

According to neurologist Ronald Postuma, this is more than mere sleepwalking, as patients often seek medical help after being alerted by their partners to violent or unusual behaviour during sleep. These patterns could be early warning signs of neurodegenerative diseases.

5. Financial difficulties

Financial troubles are quite common and can stem from a wide range of reasons. However, when they coincide with other cognitive or behavioural changes, they could be an early indication of dementia.

It’s not that these issues directly cause the disease, but their sudden or unusual onset, such as forgetting to pay bills, making impulsive purchases or placing trust in unreliable individuals, may signal disruptions in judgement and brain function.

This is particularly true in cases like frontotemporal dementia, where judgement is compromised early on.

Neurologist Winston Chiong explains that managing finances engages multiple brain regions, making it one of the first areas where cognitive problems become apparent.