Is It an Early Sign of Dementia? Three Essential Tips / Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
The Caregiver's JourneyShow Notes
“What really helps is grounding yourself in three things: what change you’re noticing, how different it is from who this person has always been, and whether it’s getting worse over time.” — Dr. Anna Chodos
Are you concerned that your loved one is showing early signs of dementia? Do you find yourself noticing changes but unsure whether they’re significant? You’re not alone in this uncertainty, and there are clear steps you can take to address your concerns.
We are Sue Ryan and Nancy Treaster. As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, we understand how challenging it can be to recognize early signs of dementia and know what to do next. We’re sharing insights about practical guidance for managing through those early signs of dementia from Dr. Anna Chodos, professor of medicine in geriatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, and executive director of Dementia Care Aware, and Dr. Barry Jacobs, clinical psychologist, family therapist, and co-author of the AARP Caregiver Answer Book.
Let’s explore three essential tips for recognizing early dementia signs — starting difficult conversations with your loved one and communicating effectively with healthcare providers.
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Full Show Notes
Additional Resources Mentioned
Alzheimer’s Association 10 signs of dementia: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs Dementia Care Aware: https://www.dementiacareaware.org/ Barry’s website www.caregiveranswerbook.com Buy the Caregiver Answer Book on Amazon https://amzn.to/4i9V9ZL Support the nonprofit The Caregiver's Journey: https://give.cornerstone.cc/thecaregiversjourney
Takeaways
Tip 1: Know What Signs to Look For — They’re More Than Just Memory
Tip 2: Start Early and Normalize Health Conversations
Tip 3: Plan Ahead for the Doctor’s Appointment
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When someone gets a diagnosis of dementia, there are two people who need to be cared for: the person living with dementia and you, the primary caregiver.” Nancy Treaster
Do you leave your loved one’s doctor’s appointments feeling intimidated or confused instead of empowered? Do you wish you had a clearer role in shaping their care? Many caregivers feel this way, and there is a better way to approach these visits.
Did your loved one recently receive a diagnosis of dementia? Have you already worked through the first six steps of the Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap? If so, you’ve built a solid foundation, and it’s time to keep going.
“There’s no perfect option out there, and there’s no community that’s going to check every single box.” — Kelly Graffius
"Two words have been the foundation of every decision I made across all of my caregiving roles — safe and happy. Before every choice, I would ask, does this help my loved one be safe? And does this support them being happy?" — Sue Ryan