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The signs can be subtle and easily ignored. “Everyone is forgetful, but you have to watch for patterns-that’s the major thing,” said Dr. Simon Grinshteyn, a hospitalist with Lee Health.

Consistent forgetfulness may be more than just old age. “When they start declining, it’s not old age it may be first signs of dementia,” said Dr. Grinshteyn.

Dementia is a general term for cognitive decline. One of the first signs to notice--is if patients start forgetting the names of loved ones. “People that are staying up or they’re getting up and wandering around at night. That is a big first clue that something is wrong,” he said.

Patients in the early stages of dementia will often experience insomnia. They will also be thrown off by a change in their routine. “Any change in a routine can throw a person with dementia into a tailspin where they deteriorate,” said Dr. Grinshteyn.

Patients who smoke, have uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, and who have a limited education are at a higher risk for developing dementia. “We need to rule out other things first. Sometimes vitamin deficiency such as B12 can cause a dementia type patient, sometimes thyroid function when it’s off. So we do testing beforehand, before we come up with this diagnosis. We even do scans of the brain,” he said.

If there’s a family history of dementia, it’s important to talk to your doctor about any concerns. An early diagnosis can help families understand and plan for the future.

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