Symptom 8. Decreased or Poor Judgement: The Fading Discernment in Dementia
Individuals with dementia often exhibit changes in judgment or decision-making. These changes are usually observed as a decrease in the understanding of safety risks or in making socially appropriate decisions.
At the onset, the person may make uncharacteristically unwise decisions with money, like falling for scams or spending large amounts unnecessarily. They may also pay less attention to personal grooming or cleanliness, which is a marked change from their previous behavior.
As dementia progresses, this lack of judgment becomes more apparent and can extend to more significant decisions. They might dress inappropriately for the weather, for example, wearing a heavy coat on a hot day, or they might engage in unsafe behaviors, like leaving the stove on. (8)
