Table of Contents:
Quote of the Day
Interesting Stories This Week
5 early speech-related signs of Alzheimer’s
Responding to YOU!
Impossible situations can become possible miracles.
Interesting Stories This Week:
Young-onset dementia patients 'falling through gaps in care'
The quick ‘cup of tea’ test that could identify if a loved one has early signs of dementia
Tremors and 'spontaneous Parkinsonism' often linked to one dementia type
Omega-3 fatty acids to fight Alzheimer’s
Robot pets help care home dementia patients
One way to detect Alzheimer’s early is by spotting changes to people’s use of language.
Speech problems are one of the first signs of mental decline that could indicate Alzheimer’s.
There are 5 early speech-related signs of Alzheimer’s to look out for:
Pauses, hesitations and vagueness.
One of the most recognisable symptoms of Alzheimer’s is trouble remembering specific words which can often lead to frequent or long pauses.
When they are struggling to find a word, they may talk vaguely such as saying ‘thing’ or talking around the word.
Using words with the wrong meaning.
They may replace a word they are trying to say with something related to it eg instead of saying dog, they may say cat.
However in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, these changes are more likely to be related to a broader category such as saying animal instead of cat.
Talking about a task rather than doing it.
Someone with Alzheimer’s may struggle with completing tasks.
Instead of performing it, they may express doubts eg I’m not sure I can do this…
Less word variety
They tend to use simpler language relying on common words.
This leads to repetition of the same verbs, nouns and adjectives instead of using a broader vocabulary.
Difficulty finding the right words
People with Alzheimer’s can have trouble thinking of words or objects or things that belong in a group.
This is sometimes used as a cognitive test for Alzheimer’s.
Eg they may struggle to name different foods or parts of the body etc…
A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
Every week, we share an honest story from a caregiver — the things most people are too afraid to say out loud.
This Week’s Caregiver Story-
"My dad insists there’s nothing wrong with him. He gets angry if I even mention dementia, and refuses any help. I feel stuck, I know he needs support, but I can’t make him accept it."
Harvey says:
Denial is one of the most challenging situations for a caregiver. It’s painful to see your loved one struggle with memory, confusion, or changes in behaviour, while they insist everything is fine.
It’s important to remember that denial isn’t always stubbornness. Sometimes it’s the brain protecting itself. Admitting that something is wrong can feel terrifying, so their mind creates a story where nothing has changed.
Here are some ideas that may help:
Pick your battles
You don’t always need to correct or challenge them directly. If saying “I don’t need help” keeps the peace, it may be kinder to focus on ways to support them without confrontation.Reframe “help” as routine
Instead of, “You need this because of dementia,” try, “Let’s do this together, it makes life easier.” Positioning support as teamwork often reduces resistance.Introduce help gradually
Big changes can trigger anger. Small steps ( like joining you for an activity rather than a formal “session” ) may feel less threatening.Protect your own energy
Constantly trying to convince someone in denial can be exhausting. Sometimes the most compassionate approach is accepting where they are emotionally, while gently creating safety around them.
Please know, their denial is not your failure. You are doing the right thing by seeking support, even when they cannot.
Warmly,
Harvey
If something’s been on your heart lately, let us know. We read every word. Your voice could offer comfort to someone else navigating the same journey.