When it comes to seeing the early signs of memory loss, little things often get our attention first. Perhaps it’s your dad repeating the same question, or you find yourself saying to a sibling, “That doesn’t seem like Mom.” While it can happen, most families don’t have one dramatic moment where everything changes; it’s often a culmination of small observations that add up. If you’ve started paying close attention, it doesn’t mean you’re only looking for problems. It’s a sign that you care and that you have everyone’s well-being in mind.
Changing Habits: The Signs Before The Early Signs of Memory Loss
Changes in a person’s daily habits can be a sign of more than just forgetfulness. For example, if the house is starting to look unusually cluttered on more than one occasion, or the mail has started to pile up, it could be a sign that a loved one isn’t navigating life as easily as in the past. Have they lost interest in a favorite hobby, or stopped watching games of their favorite team? Have there been changes to their self-care, hygiene, or the way they dress? These small changes can be a sign that something bigger is going on.
Memory Isn’t the Only Thing That Can Change
Along with memory, it’s likely a person will experience emotional and behavioral changes. In fact, families often notice personality changes before memory problems become more clear. A historically outgoing person who suddenly seems to be avoiding social situations, or someone who has usually been very patient becoming easily irritable. Other examples include:
- Increased frustration around things they used to handle with ease
- Anxiety, even in familiar situations
- Less confidence making decisions
- Withdrawing, or being a little harder to connect with
- Increased suspicion or irritability
While these changes could be the result of many different things, they are worth paying attention to. If changes are happening and it’s hard to identify a cause other than memory loss, remember they aren’t a reflection of who the person really is. These changes can be hard for everyone, so approaching them with patience, curiosity, and a desire to observe can help open up the doors to future communication.
Look for Patterns, Then Lead With Compassion
While it’s important to pay attention, it’s equally important not to overreact. One missed appointment or forgotten conversation usually isn’t cause for concern. However, if you’re noticing the same types of changes becoming more frequent, or if multiple family members have started expressing similar concerns, it may be time to try to find out more.
If you’re at that stage, try to lead with a conversation rather than an assumption. Older adults often value their independence and privacy, and there may be a perfectly reasonable explanation for what you’ve observed. Memory changes can also have many causes besides dementia, including medication side effects, poor sleep, stress, hearing or vision changes, vitamin deficiencies, or other medical conditions.
If you’re able to approach the conversation with curiosity and compassion rather than trying to diagnose the problem yourself, you’ll have a much better chance of finding out what your loved one is experiencing. From there, you can take informed steps forward.
Paying Attention Is an Act of Care
Memory changes can feel overwhelming and scary, especially when you’re not sure what they mean. Noticing changes isn’t overreacting; it’s a sign you are paying attention to a loved one, which is one of the most caring things a person can do. Whether the cause is memory loss or something entirely different, paying attention creates an opportunity to understand what your loved one needs and to seek support sooner rather than later.
No matter what happens, you don’t have to have all the answers, and you won’t need to figure everything out in one conversation. If you have questions or would simply like to learn more about memory care and the resources available, our team at Compass Park is always happy to talk. Sometimes, the next best step is to simply have a conversation.
Internal and External Links:
- https://compasspark.org/senior-living/the-benefits-of-memory-care-for-loved-ones-with-dementia/
- https://compasspark.org/senior-living/senior-friendly-hobbies-that-improve-emotional-health/
- https://compasspark.org/memory-care/