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What are the Different Senile Dementia Symptoms?

A.E. Freeman
A.E. Freeman

Senile dementia includes a range of diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia. Although these diseases have different causes, they share similar symptoms. Common senile dementia symptoms include loss of language, memory, and cognitive ability. Since many people experience the occasional lapse of memory or inability to think of a word, a doctor will usually only diagnose a patient with some form of dementia if the patient displays multiple senile dementia symptoms.

Perhaps the most recognized of all senile dementia symptoms is memory loss. A person in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease may occasionally forget where he or she is or whom he or she is talking to. Memory problems worsen as Alzheimer's progresses. A patient in the later stages of the disease may forget to perform daily tasks, such as taking medication. Alternatively, he or she may remember to take his or her medicine but not recall taking it already that day.

Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of senile dementia.
Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of senile dementia.

Loss of language ability and the ability to make judgments are other senile dementia symptoms. In an emergency or other situation where quick thinking is required, a person suffering from dementia may seem uncertain about what to do. He or she may also have difficulty remembering words or difficulty expressing him- or herself verbally. As the disease progresses, language problems may extend to not being able to understand directions or recipes or not being able to perform simple arithmetic.

Although dementia medication cannot stop the condition from worsening, it can be used to slow the progression of the condition.
Although dementia medication cannot stop the condition from worsening, it can be used to slow the progression of the condition.

Other senile dementia symptoms include changes in behavior and personality. In the early stages of Alzheimer's, personality changes may be subtle, such as the patient seeming more irritated than usual. Depression is another common personality change expressed by people suffering from some form of senile dementia. More extreme changes in behavior often occur in people with frontotemporal dementia. Such people may suddenly become apathetic, impolite, or behave in otherwise odd and unusual ways; a disregard for cleanliness and appearance is another potential symptom for frontotemporal dementia.

The most recognized of all senile dementia symptoms is memory loss.
The most recognized of all senile dementia symptoms is memory loss.

People suffering from Alzheimer's disease or from Lewy body dementia may become delusional. A person may insist that something is occurring when it is in fact not. He or she may become paranoid that his or her partner no longer loves him or her, or that caretakers are poisoning him or her or stealing.

In addition to delusions, a person suffering from Lewy body dementia may experience hallucinations. The hallucinations can be quite clear, much like waking dreams. Since Lewy body dementia affects the part of the brain that controls movement and thought, a person suffering from the disease may also show physical symptoms, such as difficulty walking and tremors.

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    • Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of senile dementia.
      By: rainbow33
      Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of senile dementia.
    • Although dementia medication cannot stop the condition from worsening, it can be used to slow the progression of the condition.
      By: Sandor Kacso
      Although dementia medication cannot stop the condition from worsening, it can be used to slow the progression of the condition.
    • The most recognized of all senile dementia symptoms is memory loss.
      By: kolotype
      The most recognized of all senile dementia symptoms is memory loss.
    • Symptoms that may signal senile dementia include depression and poor self-care.
      By: Grafvision
      Symptoms that may signal senile dementia include depression and poor self-care.
    • Senile dementia and other cognitive disorders change how the brain processes and stores information.
      By: riccardo bruni
      Senile dementia and other cognitive disorders change how the brain processes and stores information.
    • Extreme changes in personality and behavior are common symptoms of dementia.
      By: Monkey Business
      Extreme changes in personality and behavior are common symptoms of dementia.