Symptoms of Dementia

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The symptoms of dementia vary enormously, depending on the type of dementia and how far it has progressed. In most cases, the dementia progresses gradually and the early signs of dementia are subtle.

People with dementia usually experience:

Confusion. This may include misunderstanding who or where they are.
A significant reduction in memory. This may include forgetting people's names or how to get home
Problems with speech and language. Small differences of meaning are lost, language becomes simplified, and conversation becomes repetitive and often irrelevant.
Loss of interest in the outside world. This may mean the person gives up interests and hobbies or is indifferent to social conventions and to the opinions of others.

Some forms of dementia may cause the individual to experience:

Hallucinations
Changes in personality
Impaired judgement
Lack of inhibition/ Inappropriate sexual behaviour
Obsessional, repetitive behaviour
Difficulties recognising familiar objects
Disturbed sleep
Sudden anger, aggression or inappropriate tearfulness
Depression and bad temper
Standards of personal care and hygiene may decline
Physical deterioration, loss of appetite, loss of weight and high susceptibility to infection
Wandering
Incontinence.