Signs of dementia you should know
LISA SALMON and YOLANTHE FAWEHINMI look at the warnings which could mean you or a loved one are at the early stages of having the deadly disease
DEMENTIA is a term for a range of different conditions which gradually get worse over time and it causes one in 10 deaths in the UK.
Alzheimer’s Research UK, which has a goal of finding a cure for the illnesses, has asked for any drugs “deemed safe and effective” to treat the disease to be made available on the NHS as soon as possible.
Their research found that 74,261 people died from dementia and Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia) in 2022, compared with 69,178 in 2021. More than 48,000 were women, it said.
“Symptoms are usually mild at the beginning and gradually worsen over time. People can experience issues with memory, concentration and speech; this can all culminate in the person withdrawing from social and family circles,” a spokesperson for Dementia UK said. Here are some of the warning signs everyone should know.
1. MOOD CHANGES
According to the NHS, dementia is not a natural part of ageing and there are other symptoms people should keep in mind, including the change in mood.
But family and friends may not notice or take them seriously for some time. In some people, these symptoms will remain the same and not worsen. Others with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) will go on to develop dementia.
2. FINDING IT HARD TO LEARN
Dr Tim Beanland, head of knowledge at Alzheimer’s Society, says: “If I got a new piece of tech or kit, it might take me a long time to set it up, but I think I’d get there by following the instructions. But if you’ve got dementia, learning how to use a new appliance or device is really difficult.”
3. REPEATED QUESTIONING
For example, if your partner tells you they’re going out in the evening but you forget what time they said they were coming back, that’s probably
nothing to worry about. “But if you’ve got dementia, you probably won’t remember something somebody told you five or 10 minutes ago, and you might ask them with repeat questioning,” says Dr Beanland.
4. PUTTING OBJECTS IN STRANGE PLACES
Forgetting where you have put your keys or mobile phone is fine. But when you have dementia, it’s common to put things in strange places, says Dr Beanland. “You might put your house keys in your bathroom cabinet, for example.”
5. DIFFICULTY WITH ORGANISATION
Organising yourself can be difficult, especially as you get older. “But if you’ve got dementia, people really struggle, losing the ability to be organised and plan ahead,” says Dr Beanland. However, it’s important to keep in mind what’s always been ‘normal’ for you.
“If you’ve always been rubbish with the bills or have never had a good memory, you’re not going to get better as you get older, but it’s normal for you,” notes Dr Beanland.
6. STRUGGLING WITH DAILY LIFE
If you’ve got dementia, you will struggle with day-to-day life, Dr Beanland stresses. “You struggle to have a conversation and to organise things, or to remember where you’ve parked the car.”