Dementia warning signs and care highlighted by medical experts

Medical experts in Taiwan are highlighting critical warning signs of dementia and Alzheimer's disease to help families distinguish between normal aging and cognitive decline. Key indicators include forgetting routine tasks like turning off a gas stove, getting lost in familiar environments, repetitive questioning, and a loss of judgment regarding finances or social boundaries.

Experts note that changes in perception, such as mistaking flat images for 3D objects or misinterpreting visual patterns, can also signal cognitive issues. Beyond memory, sudden shifts in personality or the inability to manage daily life are significant red flags. Medical professionals emphasize that diagnosis requires more than just brain imaging; it involves cognitive testing and observing changes in daily behavior.

In Taiwan, the dementia population has exceeded 390,000 people, with a prevalence rate of nearly 8% among seniors aged 65 and older. While monoclonal antibody treatments are available to help slow disease progression by reducing beta-amyloid protein buildup, suitability varies by patient. Care strategies include a combination of medication, social engagement, physical exercise, and cognitive stimulation.