Dementia is a disease and is not part of the normal ageing process - but some of its early signs can often be confused with growing old.
Memory loss is one of the most obvious symptoms, but dementia - which affects the brain - also displays a range of other warning signs. Some of these can appear years before diagnosis, which are often mistaken as natural signs of old age.
With Dementia Action/Awareness Week underway until May 22, it's important to be aware of lesser-known symptoms. Difficulty finding the right words, behavioural change and struggling to concentrate could also indicate dementia, according to Alzheimer Scotland’s Head of National Services, Jennifer Hall.
“Though one of the most common and recognisable symptoms of dementia is memory loss, it is not the only symptom of dementia – the condition can be characterised by a range of other things such as difficulty with word finding, concentration, sensory and/or behavioural changes," she told the Record.
She added: "However, these sudden changes can be caused by something other than dementia and is always worth contacting your GP to ask for an assessment. Every person with dementia is impacted in different ways."
Occasionally forgetting a fact, an appointment or a friend's name happens to everyone from time to time. However, someone who has developed dementia may have difficulty remembering previously common tasks or recall well known information, according the Alzheimer's Society.
It's not just memory that dementia impacts, it can also influence a person's behaviour, especially when it comes to judging decisions and can also make easy tasks seem impossible.
Another early warning sign of dementia that could go overlooked is problems with sight and spaces. According to the Alzheimer's Society, this can involve poorly navigating areas around you, which can result in falls, or being unable to easily place things on a table.
The Social Institute for Excellence (SCIE) states that without a formal diagnosis, people who exhibit dementia symptoms can be left afraid and confused - knowing why these changes happen can be a relief. The charity adds that being able to recognise signs can help loved ones of dementia sufferers understand their behaviour.
Read below for the full list of early dementia symptoms to be aware of.
Early dementia warning signs
The early signs of dementia include:
- Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks
- Problems with language
- Disorientation to time and place
- Impaired judgment
- Problems with abstract thinking
- Misplacing things
- Changes in mood and behaviour
- Changes in personality
- Loss of initiative
If you're concerned about any of these signs, the next step is to speak with your doctor. Only a fully qualified professional can give a dementia diagnosis after multiple screenings and tests.
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