Planning Difficulties in Early Dementia
People in the early stages of dementia often struggle with planning ahead or figuring out steps for everyday activities. This happens because changes in the brain make it hard to organize thoughts, focus, and break tasks into simple parts. For example, someone might find it tough to follow a recipe they have used for years or keep track of monthly bills.[1][4]
These planning issues go beyond normal forgetfulness that comes with age. In dementia, the problems keep happening and get in the way of daily life. A person may start a task like making toast but forget to plug in the toaster or mix up the order of steps.[3] Simple things like paying bills, organizing a grocery list, or even dressing in the right order can feel overwhelming.[3][4]
Why does this occur? Early dementia affects executive functions in the brain, which handle planning, attention, and problem-solving. Tasks that once felt automatic, such as using the phone or operating appliances, now take longer or lead to confusion.[1][3] Someone might repeat steps, misuse tools like brushing teeth with a comb, or lose track midway through cooking or driving to a familiar place.[3][4]
This is different from stress or tiredness, which can cause short-term slips. In dementia, the difficulties persist and worsen over time, often alongside other signs like memory loss or trouble with familiar routines.[1][2][3] For instance, in Alzheimer’s, which is a common type of dementia, people may ask the same questions repeatedly and struggle to organize tasks or handle finances.[2]
Family members might notice these changes first. A loved one could avoid hobbies because planning to join them feels too hard, or they might get frustrated trying to solve small problems.[1][4] Visual challenges can add to the mix, making it tough to judge distances or read, which affects planning safe activities like parking a car.[1]
If planning troubles appear with other changes, like confusion about time or repeating stories, it is worth talking to a doctor. Early checks can help tell if it is dementia or something else, like anxiety mimicking the symptoms.[2][3]
Sources
https://www.e4aonline.com/understanding-early-signs-dementia/
https://www.elder.org/articles/dementia-care/what-are-the-early-signs-of-dementia/
https://www.carelink.org/understanding-difficulty-completing-familiar-tasks/
https://inglesideonline.org/blog/understanding-senior-dementia-essential-insights-for-caregivers-and-families/
https://www.njstatelib.org/10-warning-signs-of-alzheimers-program-recap-2/
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/worried-about-memory-problems/do-i-have-dementia-signs
