{"id":2457,"date":"2026-04-30T10:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T10:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/handscare.pt\/?p=2457"},"modified":"2026-04-17T17:47:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T17:47:47","slug":"the-first-signs-of-dementia-in-the-elderly-and-how-to-deal-with-this-condition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/handscare.pt\/en\/the-first-signs-of-dementia-in-the-elderly-and-how-to-deal-with-this-condition\/","title":{"rendered":"The first signs of dementia in the elderly and how to deal with this condition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recognize the <\/a>Dementia in the elderly can change everything in time. It’s one of those realities that arrive silently: a forgetfulness here, a confusion there, a change of mood that the family tends to attribute to tiredness or age. However, when the signs recur and begin to affect daily life, it is essential to act without hesitation. <\/p>\n\n

In Portugal, it is estimated that almost 200,000 people live with some form of dementia, and the numbers will continue to grow over the coming decades. Specialized home support<\/a> is therefore becoming an increasingly important response to guarantee quality of life, safety and dignity. <\/p>\n\n

At Hands Care, we closely monitor these situations with trained caregivers and a care plan tailored to each person and family.<\/p>\n\n

What is dementia?<\/h2>\n\n

Dementia is not a single disease, but a syndrome that results from progressive changes in the brain, compromising memory, reasoning, language and the ability to carry out everyday tasks. What makes it particularly difficult to identify in the early stages is precisely that it appears gradually and is often confused with natural ageing. <\/p>\n\n

The most common cause is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for between 60% and 70% of cases. Vascular dementia, associated with strokes or changes in the brain’s blood vessels, is one of the most common causes. There are also other types, such as dementia with Lewy bodies or frontotemporal dementia, each with its own characteristics and progression. <\/p>\n\n

It’s important to be clear: dementia is not an inevitable consequence of ageing. It is a clinical condition that deserves attention, diagnosis and appropriate care. <\/p>\n\n

The main symptoms of dementia in the elderly to look out for<\/h2>\n\n

The first signs of dementia are often subtle, which is precisely why so many families overlook them for too long. It’s not just one obvious moment, but a series of small changes that together begin to change everyday life. In addition to recurring memory failures, especially for recent events, it’s important to be aware of: <\/p>\n\n