Dementia: Signs, Assessment and Daily Care

Changes that need assessment

• Repeatedly forgetting recent events or conversations
• Getting lost in familiar places or losing track of time
• Difficulty managing money, medicines, cooking or familiar tasks
• Problems finding words, following conversation, planning or making decisions
• Changes in mood, judgement, personality or social behaviour

Why medical assessment matters

A clinician can review the pattern and check for conditions that may mimic or worsen memory problems, including depression, hearing or vision loss, thyroid problems, infection, stroke, sleep problems and medicine effects.

• Bring a medicines list and examples of changes
• Ask about safety with driving, cooking, money and living alone
• Discuss legal, financial and care preferences early while the person can participate

Safer daily support

• Keep routines, labels, clocks and lighting clear and familiar
• Use one instruction at a time and allow extra time to respond
• Check food, fluids, pain, constipation, hearing, vision and sleep
• Secure medicines, dangerous tools and exits when wandering is a concern
• Protect dignity; involve the person in choices and meaningful activities

Urgent changes

Seek urgent medical care for sudden confusion, new weakness or facial droop, fever, a fall or head injury, seizure, inability to wake, severe dehydration, or immediate risk of harm.