10 Signs That May Indicate Dementia

Dementia is a condition that commonly occurs in the elderly, with the main symptom being memory loss.

Besides forgetfulness, there are many other symptoms that may signal dementia. Early recognition of these signs can help patients receive timely care and rehabilitation.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dementia corresponds closely to the disease called “Chi Dai” (痴呆), characterized mainly by decreased memory, slowed responses, reduced speech, lethargy, and impaired intellectual ability.

This condition arises from three main causes:
Deficiency (虚) — Insufficient Liver and Kidney Qi and blood, leading to poor nourishment of the brain.
Phlegm (痰) — Dirty phlegm blocking the orifices, preventing Qi and blood from properly nourishing the brain.
Blood stasis (瘀) — Poor blood circulation blocking nourishment to the brain.
These three causes lead to decreased brain function, causing memory impairment and forgetfulness. If left untreated, symptoms worsen and interfere with daily life.

TCM treatment focuses on nourishing the deficient parts, especially the spleen and kidneys, to restore balance; removing phlegm; and resolving blood stasis to unblock the Jingluo meridians, allowing Qi and blood to nourish the brain properly.

10 Signs That May Indicate Dementia
- Forgetfulness of recent events: Repeating stories or questions, frequently forgetting appointments, difficulty recalling recent events (e.g., breakfast or recent conversations), forgetting to take medications, and difficulty learning new information.
- Neglecting or forgetting daily activities: Such as housework, cooking, laundry; neglecting cleanliness, leading to a cluttered living space or spoiled food; accumulating excessive items; improper use of household appliances; neglecting or overfeeding pets.
- Difficulty finding words or names: Struggling to recall names of objects or what to use, trouble continuing conversations, forgetting the topic mid-conversation, inability to respond appropriately, difficulty reading or spelling familiar words.
- Confusion about time and place: Losing track of days, weeks, months, seasons, or years; confusion about current location; forgetting how they arrived somewhere; getting lost in familiar places such as malls or neighborhoods.
- Poor judgment: Easily deceived, problems making decisions related to personal safety; inappropriate clothing choices for weather or occasions; irresponsible decision-making without considering consequences.
- Difficulty with numbers and calculations: Especially money-related issues like paying bills, receiving change, managing bank accounts; spending excessively on online or phone purchases; susceptibility to scams; buying unnecessary or duplicate items.
- Misplacing things: Frequently losing items, putting things in inappropriate places (e.g., keys in the refrigerator).
- Decline in personal hygiene: Poor grooming and cleanliness, wearing dirty or wet clothes repeatedly, neglecting oral health.
- Apathy and loss of motivation: Sleeping more than usual, losing interest in activities once enjoyed, easy boredom.
- Personality changes: Altered behavior, increased anxiety, fearfulness, or irritability beyond normal.

If these signs appear without other explanations such as stress, lack of sleep, depression, or other illnesses, they may indicate dementia. Further diagnosis and appropriate care are necessary.


References:
Hilltop Dementia Training Manual: A Caregiving Tool for Families & Professionals, Revised 2015
田欢, 王胜. 中医药治疗血管性痴呆研究近况 [J]. 现代中西医结合杂志, 2014, 23(28):3190-3192
陈湘君主编，中医内科学，第二版，上海科学技术出版社，2013.6

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Article by:
TCM. Dr. Thiti Nilrungratana (Lin Jia Cheng)
Huachiew Chinese Medicine Clinic
Rehabilitation Center for Stroke and Neurological Disorders