When we think of dementia, we instinctively picture memory loss. We visualize lost keys, forgotten names, and confusion about dates. We assume that the brain fails first. However, medical research increasingly suggests that the body often signals the decline before memory issues become severe. Dementia is not a single disease but a syndrome caused by various conditions that affect the nervous system. Consequently, these conditions can impact motor skills, sensory processing, and sleep patterns. As a health writer committed to accurate early detection, I want to highlight the physical shifts that can serve as early warning signs. Recognizing these subtle cues can help you seek a professional diagnosis sooner.
The Shuffle Walk
This change in gait often appears as a significant sign, particularly in Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s disease. While a healthy stride is long with a clear heel-to-toe motion, neurodegenerative conditions can cause the stride to shorten. The person may stop lifting their feet fully off the ground, resulting in a shuffle that looks like they are walking on ice.
Furthermore, they might trip more often over small cracks. This happens because the brain’s spatial processing—the ability to judge where the foot is in relation to the ground—is deteriorating. If you notice a loved one’s confident stride has turned into a tentative shuffle, it warrants a medical evaluation to rule out neurological causes.
Loss of Smell (Anosmia)
Can they still smell the coffee brewing or the gas from the stove? The olfactory nerve acts as one of the first parts of the brain damaged by Alzheimer’s pathology and Parkinson’s.
A significantly reduced sense of smell, unrelated to COVID, allergies, or sinus issues, serves as a notable risk marker. Because the olfactory bulb sits close to the hippocampus (the memory center), this sense often fades silently. While not a diagnosis in itself, a fading sense of smell combined with other changes should be discussed with a doctor.
The “Stare” (Reduced Blinking)
Changes in gaze are subtle but telling, specifically regarding Parkinsonian disorders. Patients may develop a fixed gaze or a “mask-like” expression, blinking less frequently than normal. Medical professionals refer to this as “masked facies.” This occurs due to the loss of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that regulates automatic facial movements. If a loved one’s face becomes less expressive or they seem to stare blankly, it is likely not boredom. Instead, it could be a sign of dopamine loss associated with Parkinson’s or Lewy Body Dementia.
Acting Out Dreams
This specific condition, called REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), is a strong predictor of synucleinopathies like Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s. Normally, our brains paralyze our bodies while we dream to keep us safe. However, for some, this switch fails. Consequently, they might kick, punch, yell, or flail while asleep, physically acting out vivid dreams. This symptom can sometimes predate cognitive memory issues by a decade or more. If you notice this “dream enactment,” it requires immediate neurological attention.
Issues with Buttons and Zippers
Fine motor skills require complex brain-hand coordination. Before someone struggles with memory, they might have trouble buttoning a shirt or handling small objects.
This fumbling, known as limb apraxia, is a sign that the brain’s motor cortex is struggling to execute precise movements. However, it is important to distinguish this from common physical ailments. While arthritis or neuropathy can also cause these issues, sudden coordination problems without joint pain should be evaluated by a neurologist.
Apathy and Withdrawal
While this looks like depression, it is distinct. Apathy is characterized by a lack of initiation. The person stops doing hobbies they used to love and sits for hours, content to do nothing. In depression, the person usually feels sad or hopeless. In dementia-related apathy, the person feels neutral. They simply lack the neurological drive (executive function) to start an activity. If an active parent suddenly becomes a couch potato, investigate the brain, not just the mood.
Balance and Spatial Awareness
Frequent falls or a sudden need to hold onto furniture while walking are warning signs. The brain creates a map of the body in space; when that map gets fuzzy, balance is compromised.
If someone who was previously steady starts feeling unsteady or misjudging doorways, it suggests visual-spatial deficits common in several types of dementia. They may struggle with depth perception, stepping high over a shadow as if it were an object. Do not ignore these falls; get a full workup to determine the cause.
Watch the Body, Not Just the Mind
We focus so heavily on testing memory that we forget to watch the person moving through the world. These physical signs can serve as the body’s early warning system. However, remember that these symptoms can also be caused by other treatable conditions. If you see these changes, do not panic, but do act. A professional medical evaluation is the only way to know for sure.
Have You Noticed These Changes? Have you observed changes in gait or sleep patterns in an aging relative? Share your experiences in the comments.
What to Read Next…
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- 9 Signs Your Aging Parent Is No Longer Safe to Drive
The post The “Shuffle Walk”: 7 Physical Signs of Dementia That appear Before Memory Loss appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
