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​​​Signs and Symptoms Across Stages of Dementia

Keeping track of your loved one’s signs and symptoms of dementia can help you identify the condition’s progression.

These behaviours are also a result of their condition, and understanding this can help you, as the caregiver, better understand why these changes are taking place, and how you can manage them.

If you need advice or support on dementia, you may email ccmh@aic.sg.

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​​​​​​​​​Some Common Symptoms

In Early and Moderate Dementia

In Early Dementia

  • Occasional Forgetfulness
  • Repeating him / herself
  • Isolating themselves from others
  • Feeling tired all the time
  • Easily irritated

In Moderate Dementia

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  • Getting lost in familiar places
  • Repeating what he / she said
  • Problems with communication
  • Neglecting personal hygiene and self-fare
  • Losing track of time & events
  • Misplacing items more frequently
  • Behavioural disturbances​
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  • Forgetting the names of common objects and familiar people
  • Forgetting important events, i.e. birthdays of their children
  • Confused about timings and places
  • Poor or decreased judgement
  • Problems with abstract thinking
  • ​Swallowing problems
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Sometimes, behavioural changes during early and moderate stages of dementia can cause concern. Some examples of behaviours of concern that are commonly seen include:

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  • Aggression
  • Agitation e.g. easily upset, inappropriate screaming
  • Anxiety or excessive worry
  • Apathy or indifference
  • Wandering behaviours
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  • Delusions / hallucinations
  • Depression
  • Disinhibition e.g. sexually/socially inappropriate behaviour
  • Irregular Night-time Activity e.g. getting up at night
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In Advanced Dementia

These are some distinct behaviours exhibited in the advanced stage of dementia:

  • Losing mobility and ability to perform daily tasks
  • Losing ability to communicate
  • Food refusal
  • Swallowing problems

Click here​ to learn how to manage behaviours of concern related to dementia.​

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Other Similar Pages

Learn more about Dementia

All About Dementia
If your loved one has dementia, you will notice changes in their behaviour. Caregivers like yourself may find it difficult to cope with these challenges.

Managing Dementia
Dementia affects not only your loved one's ability to remember, but can cause them to behave differently. In certain cases, behaviour linked to dementia, such as aggression or wandering, can be a cause for concern.

Planning Care
​Here are some tips, prepared in handy PDF formats, for caregivers on how they can offer care to their loved ones who wish to continue staying in the community and enjoy their regular activities.​

Providing Care
Learn about the different ways a person in the different stages of dementia talks to others, and how you can respond when communicating with them.

Signs and Symptoms of Dementia
Keeping track of your loved one’s signs and symptoms of dementia can help you identify the condition’s progression.

Dementia-Friendly Singapore
Dementia affects 1 in 10 people aged 60 and older. As our population ages quickly, dementia is an issue we cannot ignore

How You Can Play A Part
Here are some different roles individuals and organisations can play to make Singapore and communities more supportive for persons with dementia and their loved ones.

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