Luckily dementia does have early warning signs and symptoms that can help towards the early diagnosis of dementia. Diagnosing dementia early can help significantly towards managing this condition. Early signs of dementia can include loss of memory, confusion, apathy, withdrawal as well as the increasing loss of ability to do everyday tasks. But these symptoms do not guarantee a positive diagnosis of dementia because they are also common symptoms for several other conditions.

If any of the above symptoms are a concern the next step is to consult your doctor for a series of examinations to determine if dementia is the cause. The doctor would first require a detailed medical history, detailing past relatives diagnoses as well as a personal medical record. The next examination would involve a thorough physical and neurological examination, including tests of the senses and movements to rule out other causes of dementia and to identify medical illnesses which may worsen the confusion associated with dementia. Laboratory tests, including a variety of blood and urine tests called a 'dementia screen' to test for a variety of possible illnesses which could be responsible for the symptoms. The dementia screen is available through a doctor.
Neuropsychological testing to identify retained abilities and specific problem areas, such as comprehension, insight and judgement. Other specialised tests, such as a chest X-ray, ECG or CT scan. A mental status test to check a range of intellectual functions, such as memory and the ability to read, write and calculate. Psychiatric assessment to identify treatable disorders which can mimic dementia, such as depression, and also to manage psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety or delusions, which may occur alongside a dementia illness.

Some of the signs in the early stages of Dementia are provblems in recalling recent activities and events, failure to identify familiar places and people as well as experiencing problems looking for the right words to name things and to express one’s emotions.Patients also experience problems doing simple activities such as writing notes. Major symptoms include visual hallucinations and changes in personality. Under severity, there is a tendency to say offensive things to other people.

Source : http://www.medicalsymptomsguide.com/symptoms-of-dementia.html

Understanding the early signs of dementia is very important for starting the appropriate
treatment. This is difficult because dementia affects people differently. No two people will have symptoms develop in exactly the same way. Here is a list of common early symptom of dementia:

· Memory loss
· Difficulty performing familiar tasks
· Problems with language
· Disorientation to time and place
· Poor or decreased judgement
· Problems with keeping track of things
· Misplacing things
· Changes in mood or behavior
· Changes in personality
· Loss of initiative

Source: http://www.in-home-care-ideas-for-mom.com/symptoms-of-dementia.html