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What were the first dementia signs you noticed?

Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: 14 hours ago | Replies (124)

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@wctdoc1943

My wife complained of memory loss for a long time (maybe a year or two) before I ever noticed anything (quite miminal). And I was paying attention. Highly educated people are often difficult to diagnose in the early stages without neuropsychological testing. My wife has a master's degree and taught school 40 years. She eventually fit the diagnosis of MCI, and 7-8 years later the short term memory loss and loss of executive function stand out, but she remains quite functional in knowing family and friends and ADLs, and even driving very short distances to familiar places. Dementia is a spectrum and the course is highly variable. You are correct (as of now) there is no cure and no treatments of consequence. I think our hope is in some medical breakthrough that might halt progression or reverse some of the brain changes. Ongoing research is crucial and I pray the current administration does not set us back too far in that regard 😢.

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Replies to "My wife complained of memory loss for a long time (maybe a year or two) before..."

@wctdoc1943 thanks for your comment. I’m in about the same place as your wife. I have MCI, my executive function is not functioning, and I have traits of Frontotemporal Dementia.

I have other neurological disorders compounding my situation. Living alone, as I do, can sometimes be disconcerting, but I am working through everything.

One suggestion, your wife might like the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA). I joined several months ago, and have been able to interact with others who have dementia via Zoom meetings. We have fun, and we encourage each other. There’s a Music Zoom that’s basically “name that tune”, an art, and poetry meeting, one titled Faith, Hope, and Love.
Every one of the participants, including the Hosts have dementia.
DAAactionnow.org
I think that is their address. I forgot…