Writing Problems in Dementia
People with dementia often face challenges when trying to write. These issues can start small and grow over time, making everyday tasks like jotting down a note or filling out a form much harder. Writing problems, known as dysgraphia in some cases, show up because dementia affects parts of the brain that handle language and coordination.
In Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common type of dementia, writing skills break down as the illness moves forward. Early on, a person might forget simple words or mix them up. Later, they struggle to form sentences or even hold a pen steadily. Speech problems go hand in hand with this, like trouble finding the right word, which spills over into writing. Reading also becomes tough, turning a quick shopping list into a big effort.
Vascular dementia, caused by problems with blood flow to the brain, brings similar hurdles. Folks might have a hard time paying attention while writing, or they cannot follow instructions to copy words correctly. Slurred speech or confusion makes it worse, and symptoms can come on suddenly after a stroke or build up slowly.
Other forms of dementia add their own twists. In frontotemporal dementia, language glitches hit early, leading to poor handwriting or odd word choices on paper. Lewy body dementia mixes in attention lapses, so writing might start strong one day and falter the next.
These writing troubles are part of bigger language issues called aphasia. A person might understand what they want to say but cannot get it down on paper. Or they grasp spoken words fine yet stumble when reading their own notes. It is frustrating for them and loved ones, as notes meant to help memory end up confusing everyone.
Doctors spot these signs during checkups. They might ask someone to write a word backward or name items in the room. New struggles with words in speaking or writing stand out as red flags, beyond normal tip-of-the-tongue moments.
Caregivers can help by using big print, simple forms, or voice tools instead of handwriting. Spotting these changes early lets families seek support sooner.
Sources
https://parisbraininstitute.org/dementia
https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/dementia-information/types-of-dementia/vascular-dementia/symptoms/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer’s_disease
https://rollingout.com/2026/01/05/early-dementia-signs-symptoms-doctor/
https://www.njstatelib.org/10-warning-signs-of-alzheimers-program-recap-2/
https://www.dignityhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/neurology/dementia
