Although the early signs may vary, common early symptoms of dementia include:
memory problems, particularly remembering recent events
increasing confusion
reduced concentration
personality or behavior changes
apathy and withdrawal or depression
loss of ability to do everyday tasks.
Other mental health problems that the elderly may suffer from include: anxiety, depression, and delirium.
For a person with an anxiety disorder, he will worry about many issues, including his health condition. He will have breathlessness, bodily tension, and feelings of anxiousness. For someone who has a depressive disorder, he will have low moods, bouts of crying, poor concentration, decreased interest and decreased energy. The depressed person may also have negative thoughts like wanting to end his/her life. In delirious patients, they become confused and disturbed as they develop acute medical problems like a chest infection or urinary tract infections.
