5 Early Signs of Dementia You Need to Look Out For

As individuals age, changes in language proficiency can sometimes be indicative of underlying cognitive decline, such as dementia.

Did you know that almost two-thirds of Americans with dementia are women? An estimated 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with dementia as of 2024.

Dementia is a condition that affects memory, thinking, and communication skills. One of the early signs can be changes in speech, including the mispronunciation of common words.

Let’s look into the 5 early signs of dementia. 

Familiar

Have you ever wondered why familiar words suddenly seem foreign as you age? It’s a common phenomenon that many people experience as they grow older.

As time passes, your brain might not process language with the same agility it once did. This can lead to mispronunciations of words that you’ve known for years. But what are the 5 words you mispronounced before dementia?  Here are five words that are often mispronounced before the onset of more significant dementia symptoms:

• February: Commonly mispronounced as “Feb-yoo-ary” instead of “Feb-roo-ary.”
• Jewelry: Often said as “jool-ery” instead of “jew-el-ry.”
• Athlete: Mispronounced as “ath-a-lete” rather than “ath-lete.”
• Realtor: Sometimes pronounced “real-a-tor” instead of “re-al-tor.”
• Prescription: Frequently said as “per-scription” instead of “pre-scription.”

Your hearing and understanding can also be affected, which can make it more difficult to distinguish between similar sounds. Cognitive changes that come with aging can affect your ability to retrieve words quickly from your memory, further contributing to the mispronunciations.

Confusion

As you get older, you might find that your brain has a harder time processing language like it used to. This can lead to confusion when you come across familiar words that suddenly feel unfamiliar.

Simple words you once effortlessly pronounced may appear distorted on the page, causing you to hesitate and stumble over their pronunciation.

This confusion can go beyond just individual words and affect entire sentences, making the meaning unclear and difficult to grasp.

It’s important to be patient with yourself during these moments of confusion and to seek support from loved ones or professionals who can help you.

Difficulty

Familiar sounds get mixed up, making it hard for others to understand you, leading to social problems and feelings of isolation.

What used to be simple tasks, like reading out loud or having a conversation, now take a lot of effort and concentration. Trying to understand and pronounce words correctly can be really tiring and leave you feeling worn out. Daily interactions can feel challenging, leaving you feeling uneasy and uncertain about your communication abilities.

The constant corrections and misunderstandings from others can weaken your confidence, making you hesitant to engage in conversations. It can be really tough to express yourself clearly, and that struggle often brings feelings of inadequacy and frustration as you deal with changes in your communication style.

Recognition

Recognizing the early signs of mispronunciation linked to dementia can be necessary for seeking timely intervention and support.

Pay close attention to how you or your loved ones speak. Do you often find it difficult to pronounce familiar words or struggle to find the right ones? These might be early signs of cognitive decline. If you notice consistent errors in pronunciation or word retrieval, consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation. 

These changes in communication might indicate deeper cognitive shifts that deserve further exploration. Keep track of any instances where words are consistently mispronounced or forgotten, as this information can aid healthcare providers in making an accurate assessment. 

Pronunciation

Understanding the significance of accurate pronunciation in the early detection of cognitive decline is significant for proactive healthcare management. Pronunciation difficulties can serve as subtle indicators of potential cognitive issues, making it necessary to pay attention to how you articulate words. 

Changes in speech patterns, such as slurring, stuttering, or mispronunciations, could signal cognitive impairment that warrants further investigation. Being mindful of how you pronounce words and seeking feedback from others can help identify any potential red flags early on. 

Practicing pronunciation exercises and engaging in regular conversations can aid in maintaining cognitive function and speech clarity. Accurate pronunciation helps you communicate well and is important for monitoring cognitive health. 

Conclusion

Recognizing the early signs of dementia, such as changes in speech and pronunciation, is crucial for timely intervention and support. Mispronunciations of familiar words, confusion, and difficulty in communication can be early indicators of cognitive decline. By paying close attention to these signs and seeking professional evaluation, individuals can receive the necessary care and support to manage their condition effectively. 

Early detection and proactive healthcare management can significantly improve the quality of life for those affected by dementia. Remember, maintaining open communication with loved ones and healthcare providers is essential in navigating these changes and ensuring the best possible outcomes.