10 Reasons Why Getting an Early Dementia Diagnosis Is Important*

Dementia is something that should never sneak up on anyone you know. Instead of waiting for the worst to happen, stay on top of health issues. You can do a lot for your loved ones by being aware of telltale dementia signs. Make a plan to be healthy long before the worst parts of dementia take over. 

10. Life Is Demanding

All of the things that you become used to are harder with dementia. Even small things like making breakfast can become an off-limits task. By knowing what tasks are off-limits with dementia, you can live normally with minimal restrictions. Even when life is demanding, you have a choice to live normally with your loved ones. By letting the condition take you by surprise, everyone around you has to scramble and make things right. Life then becomes demanding for everyone within your circle at the worst time possible. 

9. Your Loved Ones Need Time

Even if you have a handle on things, the people you care about may be in different headspaces. This happens a lot with families that are close and don’t know how to respond to the changes. The same resources you use to learn about the condition should be the same ones that your loved ones can read. Share the information, and allow them to ask whatever questions come up. Thinking of dementia as a condition that affects a single person is selfish, and will only complicate things for everyone involved. 

8. It Can Destroy You Financially

Treatment for dementia requires ongoing care. With or without insurance, this can be devastating to your finances. This is especially true if you’re the sole breadwinner. The way the condition limits your ability to do work will change how much income you have coming in. When a lot of that income has to go to medical care, then you’re immediately put in a bind. A lot of the financial burden can be offset by thinking ahead. If your job provides benefits for life-changing illnesses, take it while you’re young. And even if you take it at a later age, it is better than not taking help at all. 

7. Children Need Help With Acceptance

There are two main types of attitudes that you’ll face when children have to deal with dementia. The first is indifference, usually from a lack of understanding. Kids won’t understand why their an adult can’t do the things they used to anymore. As heartbreaking as this is, setting limits early will allow indifferent children to not be fearful of the condition. The second type of attitude is a worry. The way a child worries is much different than an adult and can be hard to deal with. Having a heart to heart with children in this situation will prepare them for the worst. There is even a chance they will be more accepting of the condition than adults much older than them. 

6. Planning Is Harder With Dementia

Making lifelong plans when everything has already changed is a bad idea. It forces you to make snap decisions that aren’t always the best for everyone involved. Plan ahead to keep to ward off the stress of dealing with dementia. You won’t always be able to get ahead of the bad problems, but you can at least have an acceptable way of dealing with them. Digital or written planning options will keep the most important details by your side. 

5. A Good Doctor Is Hard To Find

Getting checked for early dementia lets you stick with the same doctor through the entire process. This seems like a small pro, but the truth is that it makes all the difference in the world. Long-term doctors are popular for multiple reasons, and dementia is one of them. Find a professional that you’re comfortable with and stick with them through the initial diagnosis and treatment plans. A familiar face can become one of the many things your mind associates with calmness. 

4. Lifestyle Changes Are Noticeable

Certain lifestyles are incompatible with dementia. This is the hardest thing to get accustomed to, especially if the person suffering has an active lifestyle. Instead of looking at what is lost, look for alternatives to replace specific activities. You’ll find that a lot of things open up to you that wasn’t available before. For the partner of someone diagnosed with dementia, this could mean spending quality time together doing something you both enjoy. 

3. Prepping Your Home Becomes Essential

The home you have now is not suitable for someone that is going through dementia. What you consider normal can be a complete life-changing convenience during the side effects of dementia. Prep your home or that of a loved one going through dementia so that everything is accessible to their condition. This can include moving furniture around or removing potential hazards in the kitchen. Getting things changed now will make it less jarring when dementia progresses. 

2. Getting Diagnosed Is Not A Guarantee Of Dementia

When people are afraid to get diagnosed for something, it is usually due to their fear of having it. Going to a doctor does not mean you have dementia. There are many other side effects that are similar to those found with early dementia. Instead of fearing the worst, go in with a positive attitude. 

1. Hiring Starts With A Background Check

Hiring in-home help for someone with dementia is smart. If it is an available option, consider doing it before dementia symptoms worsen. Like all things with this illness, familiarity is important. Dementia sufferers can be taken advantage of, which is why good help requires an extensive background check. Aim for someone with experience that genuinely cares about people with dementia. 

Wrap Up

Dementia is a powerful condition that affects millions of people every day. Even when you’re prepared, the amount of change it does to live is massive. While the loss of control is a central part of the condition, you are always in control of preparation. Meet dementia head-on instead of letting it sneak into your life.