Inappropriate Behavior
Inappropriate behavior is related to impaired brain regions’ function responsible for decision-making based on emotion and weighted by flexibility and social behavior. In such cases, the person may exhibit uninhibited and impulsive behavior, regardless of socially appropriate behavior. Loss of judgment and criticism can occur, generating disrespect for laws, acts of impulsivity, irritability, hypersexuality, euphoria, and even a change in eating habits.
Forget the Function of Objects
Elderly people with dementia often have difficulty using common objects and performing motor tasks in sequence. For example, the person knows what a key is and knows what a lock is but does not know how to execute the sequence that links one object to another. They can’t connect the areas of the brain responsible for following the steps, like taking the key, putting it in the lock, turning the key, etc. In other cases, the person recognizes the key but does not remember what it is for – in this case, opening locks. Another example is the inability to make gestures that have a pre-defined meaning, such as the sign of silence, waving to say hi, or raising your thumb in a positive sign.