Many people associate dementia with memory issues, but a team of academics has cautioned that many mild symptoms are being overlooked. Present methods of diagnosis and treatment rely too heavily on memory tests.
They contend that the illness may also affect vision, hearing, balance, taste, and touch.
Health care professionals may be able to supply patients with the essential emotional and social assistance they require throughout a potentially perplexing and upsetting period if they comprehend, address, and offer help early.
“A clinician can also be assisted in diagnosing dementia by having a thorough understanding of changes in a patient’s senses.”
The experts found the following lesser-known traits of dementia:
- Altered visual and hearing perception
- Changes in hearing ability and sound processing, especially in noisy environments
- Diminished sense of smell and taste
- Tactile sensitivity issues
According to the book A New Approach to Dementia, diagnostic, treatment, and support services should include sensory and perceptual testing.
This could aid in the early detection of dementia “at the preclinical stages,” when novel medications and treatments might work better.
