Alzheimer's and Dementia
What Are The Signs That My Loved One Has Dementia?
By Attorney Rick Law of the Estate Planning Center at Law Elder Law There is no single factor that can provide a clear sign that an adult is functioning with diminished capacity, but there are clues that, when taken together, may indicate that professional medical tests should be conducted. Family members may notice the potential signs of cognitive incapacity manifest themselves in a myriad of ways – perhaps in the person’s decisional abilities, their cooperativeness, or friendliness. Upon seeking legal counsel, it is common that the lawyer will rely on the client’s family to provide much of the information regarding behavior, decision making abilities, and more. Knowing the factors to look for allows the lawyer to ask the client’s family the correct questions to determine what is best for the client and the family.. Some of the factors to watch for include:
- change in the client’s typical manner of behavior (these changes may take place over a long period of time and may not be instantly recognizable);
- unusually poor grooming or hygiene;
- short-term memory loss;
- comprehension problems;
- lack of mental flexibility;
- calculation problems;
- emotional signs of incapacity, such as emotional distress or
- emotional inappropriateness; and
- behavior incapacity, such as delusions or disorientation.