Dementia is an umbrella term for a variety of conditions and brain disorders whose symptoms are marked by a decline in brain function that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. There are many types of dementia; Alzheimer’s disease is the most common, accounting for 60-80% of cases(1).

The vast majority of people who develop Alzheimer’s dementia are age 65 or older(2). Although there are over 10 million new cases of dementia each year worldwide, it is suggested that three quarters of people with dementia have not received a diagnosis(3). That is why it is important to know the signs of dementia and what to do if you are showing symptoms.

According to the Alzheimer's Association(4), 10 early signs of dementia include:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks

4. Confusion with time or place

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

8. Decreased or poor judgement

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities

10. Changes in mood and personality

You may be thinking that some of these symptoms sound like things you experience from time-to-time. While everyone may misplace things or forget names occasionally, the main difference between this and dementia is a person’s ability to work, live independently, or maintain a social life(5). If you are having any concerns about memory loss or dementia, seek medical care. There is no single way to diagnose dementia. A medical professional may conduct physical examinations, laboratory tests, cognitive tests, brain scans, and psychiatric evaluations to give a dementia diagnosis(6).

Sunlight can help with every step from diagnosis to symptom management. Sunlight partners with PocketRN to offer extra resources to our clients with a dementia diagnosis, and they can conduct a virtual evaluation to provide a diagnosis if necessary. From there they have a team of nurses that can assist in medication management, monthly check-ins, and coordination with Sunlight and the rest of your care team.

Sunlight also has caregivers trained on the unique needs of an individual with dementia or Alzheimer’s with registered nurses on staff to provide education and training when needed and be sure the plan of care suits the current needs of the client. Services that we can provide for an individual with dementia include:

• Personal hygiene assistance

• Light housekeeping

• Meal preparation

• Companionship and activities

• Medication assistance

• Symptom and vital sign monitoring

• Mobility assistance

and the addition of any other services we offer.

References

1. Alzheimer's Association. “10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s.” Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, Alzheimer’s Association, 2025, www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs.

2. ---. “2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.” Alzheimer’s & Dementia, vol. 21, no. 4, Apr. 2025, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12040760/, https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70235.

3. Alzheimer's Disease International. “Dementia Statistics.” Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2020, www.alzint.org/about/dementia-facts-figures/dementia-statistics/.

4. Mayo Clinic. “Dementia - Diagnosis and Treatment - Mayo Clinic.” Mayoclinic.org, Mayo Clinic, 25 Sept. 2024, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352019.

5. Mayo Clinic Staff. “When You Should Seek Help for Memory Loss.” Mayo Clinic, 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/memory-loss/art-20046326.

6. Sara, Rhudy. “Understanding Memory Care for Seniors - Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury.” Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury, 2 July 2024, rw-c.org/understanding-senior-memory-care/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=15795573503&gbraid=0AAAAAoUe4Emh_LlGZxfi8o5Fb5vsqmMlz&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhOfLBhCCARIsAJPiopODmlxhXp8VmP4u4aFF56o4N-XoAW4vzTjcmfhIXw5BtQ59SlTcB34aAm3yEALw_wcB.