Are you growing concerned over unusual behaviors that your senior parents are exhibiting? Have you noticed that they are becoming more increasingly forgetful? Or perhaps, there’s just something about their behavior that seems off to you?

Whatever the case may be, it’s important to understand that your aging parents may not be as they were when they were younger. In fact, they may already be starting to show unusual behaviors that may catch you off-guard. Before you dismiss these unusual behaviors as quirks, it’s important to keep tabs as they may already show early signs of dementia.

It’s important to note that our elder’s minds may not be as sharp as they once were, and that there are aging-related memory loss. These does not instantly point to Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Nevertheless, it’s a must to be vigilant and to be aware.

So, here are some of the unusual behaviors that you can watch for, especially if you suspect that your senior parents may have dementia or Alzheimer’s.

1. Asking the day today. Do they often ask you, “What day is it today?” or “What’s today?” While some may just genuinely forget, if they tend to ask you that same question repeatedly during the day even after you answered it the first time, you may consider the following other signs.
2. Forgetting medications. If your elderly parents have a hard time keeping things organized and forgetting everyday tasks such as their maintenance medicine, that’s one thing you have to take note.
3. Repeatedly buying unwanted items in the grocery. Do they unusually buy the same things over and over? Or do they buy things they don’t really need and end up piling in your home?
4. Needing help with the bills. Another thing to consider is their ability to be on top of their finances and their obligations. Other elderly people may have a hard time organizing and managing these.
5. Housekeeping neglect. If you notice how their household upkeep, or lack of it, seems out of character, that could be another sign.
6. Misplacing regularly used items. This is a big telltale sign. They may even resort to saying that someone stole the items or moved them. Think of these unusual behaviors as a red flag.
7. Misremembering events or stories. Do they retell a story of an event that recently happened and notice how they have it all wrong? They may have misremembered some details or mixed things up with another event.
8. Being uncharacteristically mean. Do they suddenly lose their temper or snap at others?
9. Getting easily confused. They may get confused about how much to pay the cashier, which direction to take on the way home, or just about anything. Some days, this may just be so minor that you barely notice it. But when it becomes more pronounced, it’s something you should take note of.
10. Tripping and falling. Do they usually trip and fall suddenly? They may need a walker or some form of support, but this sudden loss of balance may also be a sign of dementia.

It’s best to talk to a physician as soon as you notice these signs. Don’t wait until you’re “sure” as by that time, their condition may have already progressed and became worse.