Dementia can start showing up in the most unexpected places, even inside your wallet.
Financial slip-ups and unusual spending habits might be more than simple forgetfulness. Here are the key warning signs to watch for.
Struggling with simple money tasks
If someone suddenly has trouble paying the rent, checking their bank statements, or navigating online banking, this could be an early red flag.
Many with early dementia lose the ability to plan and make sound financial decisions.
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Missed or repeated bill payments
Everyone forgets a bill once in a while, but repeated errors like paying the same bill multiple times or completely missing payments are concerning.
This might indicate a loss of financial awareness.
Buying things they don’t need
A sudden change in spending habits, like buying unnecessary items or giving away large amounts of money to charities, friends, or even strangers, could signal a cognitive decline, especially if this behavior is out of character.
Falling for scams
People with dementia often struggle with judgment and risk assessment, making them easier targets for scammers.
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Fraud attempts via email, phone, or investment scams become more dangerous as their awareness drops.
Losing track of cash or cards
We all misplace things occasionally, but frequent loss of bank cards, cash, or forgetting why they withdrew money could indicate memory problems linked to early dementia.
Forgetting their PIN number
Forgetting a PIN once or twice is normal. But consistently struggling to recall it, especially at the ATM, might suggest an early decline in brain function.
Obsessing over money
Some people become unusually focused on cash, repeatedly counting it, wanting to carry large sums, or constantly worrying about finances, even when there’s no actual issue.
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Losing control of personal finances
People who once managed their money responsibly may seem confused when it comes to savings, budgets, or discussing financial matters.
This could be due to a weakened ability to handle complex tasks.
Avoiding money conversations
A noticeable withdrawal from financial discussions or decision-making, especially if they were once involved, might be a sign that the person senses something is wrong but doesn’t know how to handle it.
Giving vague answers about money
If someone gives strange or vague explanations for financial mistakes, or avoids answering at all, it might be because they don’t fully understand what happened themselves.
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This is a common early dementia symptom.
This article is based on information from The Sun.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.