Introduction
As we age, our bodies and minds can start to show signs of wear and tear. One of the most common age-related conditions is dementia, which can cause a wide range of symptoms that can be difficult to recognize. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms of dementia can be silent, meaning they may not be immediately obvious. In this article, we will discuss some of the silent symptoms of dementia that seniors need to be aware of, as well as some tips on how to manage them. We will also provide some helpful advice on what to eat and what to avoid in order to help manage the symptoms of dementia.
Silent Symptoms of Dementia Seniors Need to Know — Eat This Not That
Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder that affects millions of seniors each year. It can be difficult to diagnose, as many of its symptoms are silent and can be mistaken for other conditions. It’s important for seniors to be aware of the signs and symptoms of dementia so they can seek treatment as soon as possible.
What Are the Silent Symptoms of Dementia?
The silent symptoms of dementia can be difficult to detect, as they often mimic other conditions. Some of the most common silent symptoms of dementia include:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Confusion
- Trouble with language
- Difficulty with problem-solving
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Loss of interest in activities
- Social withdrawal
How Can Seniors Eat to Help Prevent Dementia?
Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to help prevent dementia. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats can help reduce the risk of developing dementia. Additionally, avoiding processed foods, sugary drinks, and foods high in saturated fat can help reduce the risk of dementia.
It’s also important for seniors to stay hydrated and get enough sleep. Staying hydrated helps keep the brain functioning properly, while getting enough sleep helps the brain rest and recharge. Additionally, staying physically active can help reduce the risk of dementia, as exercise helps keep the brain healthy.
Conclusion
Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder that can be difficult to diagnose, as many of its symptoms are silent. It’s important for seniors to be aware of the signs and symptoms of dementia so they can seek treatment as soon as possible. Eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and staying physically active can help reduce the risk of developing dementia.
More than 55 million people worldwide have dementia–a disorder that affects memory and cognitive functions, according to the World Health Organization. While dementia can happen at a younger age, it mostly affects people over 65 and although there are clear signs to watch out for like poor judgements and memory loss, there’s subtle signs that can go unnoticed. “The early signs of dementia can be easily missed if you don’t know what to look for,” Francine Waskavitz, M.S.,CCC-SLP, IHNC Memory Health Coach tells Eat This, Not That! Health. Here’s eight silent signs of dementia to be aware of according to experts we spoke with. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Tomi Mitchell, a Board-Certified Family Physician with Holistic Wellness Strategies says, “When family members request to be contacted for appointments because they are concerned that their loved one wouldn’t keep the appointment—this could be a silent sign of dementia. This is a concern when they don’t feel that their loved ones are capable of managing their health care appointments.”
Dr. Mitchell shares, “Some of my patients with early stages of dementia would take much longer than expected to communicate their questions or concerns. Their explanations would be long-winded, often not very direct, and sometimes confusing. For example, when I had a busy waiting room and a mountain of paperwork and administration work, these long conversations could be challenging to accommodate. In my clinical practice, I did my best to accommodate these patients towards the end of my day so I had more time to spend with them while minimizing the impact on office wait times for other patients.”
Dr. Mitchell explains, “Polypharmacy, or the overuse of medications that typically happens over the years, can be challenging. Therefore, your health care provider must have an up-to-date list of your medications, and periodically you have a medication review so your health care provider can eliminate unnecessary medications and harmful drug interactions and side effects. Polypharmacy can lead to adverse outcomes, including dementia, though more research is needed to understand this.”
Waskavitz says, “Planning and executing tasks used to come easy to you. These days, though, all of the planning, organization and decision-making is utterly exhausting.
When you’re experiencing changes in your mind and memory, remaining organized becomes challenging. Where did I write that appointment down again?
Disorganization and lack of focus is one of the earliest signs of dementia. It holds you back from finishing something you started, has you feeling scatter-brained and leaves you searching for the ever-elusive sticky note you wrote down your grocery list on.”
Waskavitz reminds us that, “Mild forgetfulness can be normal with aging, however, memory loss is not a normal part of getting older. Seniors must remain vigilant and honest with themselves when it comes to assessing the frequency of “those” moments. If forgetfulness is happening daily or it’s changing the way you go about your day: it’s an indicator that your forgetfulness may in fact be something more.”
“Suddenly, the words are always stuck on the tip of your tongue and it’s very frustrating,” Waskavitz states. “You frequently start and stop while communicating, you lose your train of thought mid-sentence and you can’t recall where to pick up the conversation again. Difficulty finding the right words and expressing your thoughts, ideas and feelings can be an early sign of dementia.”
Waskavitz asks, “Calm, cool and collected? Not anymore. Anxiety is an early symptom of dementia and it typically settles in when the future becomes uncertain. You’re aware that you’re having more difficulty with your mind and memory and you’re wondering what will happen next. You may also be trying to keep it from family and friends which only perpetuates the feelings of anxiety and loneliness. Seniors should take note of their mood. Any sudden shifts or lingering anxiety and depression that wasn’t there before can be a warning sign of dementia.”
Waskavitz explains, “As you get older your interests may shift. Maybe you don’t care to be in a bowling league any longer. Or perhaps your large garden seems more daunting than rewarding these days. Usually though, once forgotten or outgrown hobbies are replaced with new interests, like joining the book club in your new retirement community. If you’re demonstrating feelings of listlessness or a general lack of interest in participating in any activities or events, take note. Apathy is an early sign of dementia and it can manifest by stealing your interest away from your hobbies.”
Heather Newgen