This is Jennie, a lifelike robotic puppy wowing crowds at CES 2025. The makers behind the robotic yellow Labrador puppy hope it will provide companionship and unconditional love for those who are unable to look after a real animal on their own.
Dementia can sneak up on you. I know, because it happened to my family.
Back in the early 2000s, my first wife, Ginny, began demonstrating some unusual behavior. She was not her usual bubbly self. Instead, she became caustic, somewhat aggressive, got lost driving and was unable to follow written directions.
At times, these episodes frustrated me, but I assumed they were caused by stress or marital difficulties. Then, one day, we went to dinner at a favorite Indian restaurant near our home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The hostess met us at the front door, and I greeted her by name. As we sat down, Ginny asked how I knew her. I responded by saying that we knew her from the last time we were there. Ginny insisted she had never been to the restaurant before and accused me of having been there with another woman.
For some time, I had been thinking strongly about a divorce. But after that night, I realized I had missed the signs of what might be a severe cognitive disorder; so, the journey began.
Fast-forward nearly 10 years, I left my corporate career to care for Ginny in the last year of her life while in hospice and started the Dementia Society of America to help those who were facing similar circumstances.
Early signs of dementia: What to look for and what to do
Today, for individuals who suspect friends and loved ones are exhibiting signs of cognitive decline, the holidays are a particularly important time. The traditional gatherings enable people to interact with each other, gauge differences in behavior from the last holiday get-together and compare perspectives on what steps might be taken to help address signs of possible dementia. In our work, we urge families during the holidays to look for "22 Clues" of potential impairment and to take several key actions.
Is your family member or friend:
* Forgetting important recent information, not just the occasional memory lapse?
* Having trouble completing familiar routines, like cooking or driving?
* Fumbling with words, substituting words or struggling to follow conversations?
* Putting items in odd places (e.g., keys in the freezer, bedsheets with the china)?
* Becoming confused, suspicious, aggressive, anxious or exhibiting any behaviors or movement disorders that are not normal for them?
If something seems highly unusual, you should consider the following steps:
* If difficulties over memory or ability crop up, don't argue or challenge their reality in the moment; instead, step back and focus on lowering their anxiety by redirecting conversations to less complex discussions, speaking more slowly and a bit louder and asking yes/no questions.
* Ask others about what you're seeing and hearing; be especially prepared for close family to be the first ones to deny anything is amiss. Make written notes about what you're observing and keep them organized by time and date.
* If changes persist, firmly but gently push to involve health care professionals. These signs and clues warrant evaluation, as severe cognitive impairments are not considered a normal part of aging and aren't limited to adults over 65.
Most important, seek to better understand dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease but a syndrome, an umbrella term for a collection of symptoms (which can include impaired memory, trouble with following directions, inappropriate mood swings, physical instability as well as abnormal movements) caused by various brain diseases and disorders. Some of these causes are treatable, and all can benefit from intervention.
Eventually, we got my wife, Ginny, the help she needed - though I always wish I had acted sooner. This holiday season, make sure to take care of your loved ones, too.
Kevin Jameson is CEO of Dementia Society of America (DSA), a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating awareness, advancing research and enriching the lives of those facing dementia in all its forms.