7 physical symptoms of dementia
Dementia is a collective term for diseases that affect memory, thinking and behaviour. In addition to cognitive symptoms, many people also experience physical changes such as muscle stiffness, sleep problems and increased fall risk. Recognising these symptoms can make a significant difference to your loved one’s safety and wellbeing.
1. Muscle Stiffness and Movement Problems
Many people with dementia develop stiffness in their muscles and joints, making it harder to move. This can lead to impaired balance and increased fall risk. Movement problems can also include slower walking and a general decrease in mobility.
2. Changes in Sleep Patterns
Sleep disturbances are common in dementia. This can mean difficulty falling asleep, waking frequently during the night, or sleeping a lot during the day. Sleep problems can worsen other symptoms and significantly affect quality of life.
3. Impaired Motor Skills
People with dementia may experience reduced fine motor skills, making everyday tasks like buttoning clothes or holding cutlery more difficult. Gross motor skills can also be affected, further increasing the risk of falls.
4. Weight Loss and Changes in Appetite
Unexplained weight loss and changes in eating habits are common in dementia. This may be because the person forgets to eat, loses their sense of taste, or has difficulty swallowing.
5. Incontinence
As dementia progresses, control of the bladder and bowel can weaken. This is often a sign that the disease has reached a more advanced stage.
6. Changes in Facial Expression and Communication
As dementia advances, controlling the facial muscles can become harder, which may result in a more expressionless face. Speech difficulties and problems following conversations can also develop.
7. Increased Susceptibility to Infections
Dementia weakens the immune system, making the person more vulnerable to infections – particularly urinary tract infections and pneumonia. These infections can temporarily worsen cognitive symptoms.
Why Physical Symptoms Increase Fall Risk
Muscle stiffness, impaired motor skills and sleep deprivation all contribute to increased fall risk in people with dementia. Research shows that people with dementia fall up to three times more often than cognitively healthy older adults [1].
Read more about 5 early signs of dementia.
Sensorem’s Personal Alarm with GPS Positioning, Medication Reminder and Automatic Fall Detection
Sensorem’s personal alarm is an example of a technical aid specially developed for people with dementia. The alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning so that relatives can see the user’s location on a map in the Sensorem app. Relatives are automatically called by the alarm (two-way communication) if the user leaves a predetermined geographical area. The alarm also has a medication reminder and can alert automatically in the event of a fall with the built-in fall sensor.
READ ABOUT HOW SENSOREMS PERSONAL ALARM CAN HELP WITH DEMENTIA
References
- [1] National Board of Health and Welfare. National guidelines for dementia care. https://www.socialstyrelsen.se
- [2] Alzheimer’s Society. Physical symptoms of dementia. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk
- [3] NHS. Dementia – symptoms and diagnosis. https://www.nhs.uk
Read more: What is dementia? – 5 early signs of dementia – Alzheimer’s – Dementia tracker