Detecting Early Signs of Dementia in Your Loved Ones

27th February 2026

Dementia is a collection of symptoms resulting from damage to the brain caused by different diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, with symptoms varying according to the part of the brain that is damaged.

Different types of dementia can impact people in different ways, meaning symptoms can change from person to person. Whilst there are some common early signs of dementia that most people may experience, there are also some lesser-known symptoms which you may not recognise as early dementia in your loved ones.

Being aware of these symptoms can be helpful in getting an early diagnosis of dementia, which can help with increasing quality of life with specialist dementia care, including residential care, when appropriate.

At The Bill House, we understand that the care needs during the different stages of dementia can be difficult to handle, but getting the first diagnosis and knowing how to support loved ones following a dementia diagnosis can be extremely difficult.

From person-centred care to helping you recognise when it’s time for residential care, we are here for you and your loved ones through every stage of living with dementia.

The early signs of dementia

Early signs of dementia can crop up in everyday life. What may begin as subtle changes in memory, thinking, communication, mood and daily functioning can begin to interfere with daily life as the disease develops and causes changes or fluctuations in your loved one.

Confusion: in the early stages, confusion can show up as becoming disorientated about time or place, feeling confused in unfamiliar environments or taking longer to process information and make decisions. Your loved one may appear fine on some days and more confused on others.
Memory loss: going beyond normal, memory loss involves forgetting recent conversation or events despite older memories remaining clearer, repeating questions or stories without realising and misplacing items.
Struggling to follow conversation: your loved one might lose track of discussions, have trouble finding the right words and need more time to understand questions or respond, resulting in withdrawal from conversations to avoid frustration and embarrassment.
Mood changes: anxiety, irritability or low mood can make your loved one become more withdrawn or less confident. Emotional reactions that seem out of proportion to the situation is often linked to awareness of difficulties and frustration with declining abilities.
Finding it hard to conduct daily tasks: from struggling with planning and sequencing to taking longer to complete familiar tasks or needing reminders for tasks that were previously routine, your loved one might still be independent but need more support.

It is important to consider how navigating care with confidence can support your loved one through this difficult time if you suspect they are showing early signs of dementia.

The lesser-known symptoms of dementia

Many people think dementia consists solely of forgetfulness, but it is more than just memory loss. Certain symptoms of dementia are unexpected and may cause serious concern if they are present in your loved one.

Unusual or changed movement can cause concern because they may be linked to brain changes, anxiety or difficulty processing the environment. These movements can appear as restlessness or repetitive, like pacing, rocking or fidgeting, changes in walking style, balance or coordination and slower movements or stiffness, which is most common in dementia with Lewy bodies, a type of dementia caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain.

Inappropriate behaviour may also be an alarming symptom of dementia, since it might include your loved one saying things that are socially unacceptable or out of character. They may also experience a reduced awareness of social boundaries or personal space and act impulsively. This behaviour often happens because dementia affects judgement, inhibition and social awareness which can lead to a need for supporting dementia residents through challenging behaviour.

For your loved one, experiencing delusions or hallucinations can be extremely frightening. They may strongly hold false beliefs, misinterpret situations or intentions of others or become suspicious without clear evidence if they are experiencing delusions, whilst hallucinations include seeing, hearing or sensing things that are not actually present. These experiences can feel very real for your loved one and cause serious distress.

How getting an early diagnosis can help your loved one

There are many types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. If your loved one is showing new symptoms that are causing concern, getting support from a medical professional is crucial.

Making the transition to a dementia care home so your loved one can receive specialist dementia care can be a daunting process. However, residential care homes can support independence for residents, even those living with dementia, so by providing your loved one with the care they need, their quality of live improves.