The Alzheimer’s Society has released a checklist to assess how likely you are to develop dementia.
They have put together a list of symptoms to help people identify symptoms of dementia at an early stage and gain quicker access to support.
According to a study of 1,019 dementia sufferers and their carers, dismissing symptoms as old age was the number one reason it took people so long to get diagnosed.
The research revealed that one in four people showed symptoms of dementia more than two years before their diagnosis.
The list of symptoms includes issues with everyday life such as getting lost or struggling to pay pills, problems with communicating or repeating questions and phrases, behavioural or emotional problems such as acting inappropriately, becoming aggressive, withdrawn, or walking out.
The Alzheimer’s Society launched the “It’s not called getting old, it’s called getting ill” campaign as an attempt to encourage those showing symptoms to get help.
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Kate Lee, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Asking the same question over and over again is not called getting old, it’s called getting ill.
“If you’re worried for yourself or someone you love, take the first step this Dementia Action Week – come to Alzheimer’s Society for support.
“The stark findings of our survey released today show just how dangerous it can be to battle dementia symptoms alone and put off getting help.
“Yes, getting a diagnosis can be daunting – I know I was terrified when my mum got diagnosed.
“But it is worth it – over nine in 10 people with dementia told us they benefited from getting a diagnosis. It gave them crucial access to treatment, care and support, and precious time to plan for the future.
“With the pandemic causing diagnosis rates to plunge, it’s more important than ever to seek help. You don’t have to face dementia alone, we’re here to support everyone affected.”
Dr Jill Rasmussen, the clinical representative for dementia at the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: “It’s vital for patients, their families and GPs that conversations with the potential for a diagnosis of dementia are timely and effective.
“The new checklist developed with Alzheimer’s Society is a simple, free tool to help patients and their families clearly communicate their symptoms and concerns during an often time-pressured appointment.
“This resource could make a real difference in identifying those people who require referral for a more detailed evaluation and diagnosis of their problems.
“We’re asking anyone who is worried about possible dementia symptoms to use the checklist and share it with their primary care team.”
Keep in mind that dementia is an umbrella term, used to describe the deterioration of a person's mental ability.
One of the most common forms of the debilitating condition is Alzheimer’s, which accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.
Alzheimer’s is a specific form of dementia - it is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by complex brain changes following cell damage.
Unfortunately there is no specific treatment to tackle dementia or to reverse the damage to the brain as a result of the condition.
Treatment may slow down the progression of dementia and help to prevent further problems, such as strokes.
The Alzheimer’s Society recommends medicines and lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, quitting smoking, keeping fit, cutting down on alcohol and losing weight.
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy has proven to be beneficial, but dementia can significantly shorten life expectancy.
The average survival time from diagnosis is around four years and most people will die either from complications of dementia, such as pneumonia, or from a subsequent stroke.
