One in four people with dementia spent two years experiencing symptoms before getting a diagnosis, according to new research.
A study conducted by Alzheimer’s Society found that many people put off getting a diagnosis for a number of reasons - including confusion between dementia and age, denial and their symptoms being manageable.
After interviewing 1,019 people affected by dementia for the study, 60 per cent of people wished they had a diagnosis earlier.
Nine in ten people (91 per cent) saw at least one benefit to a diagnosis - including the ability to plan for the future, support from services, a sense of relief or medication to help with the symptoms.
The charity also found that the Covid pandemic has caused a ‘sustained drop’ in dementia diagnoses for the first time over.
They estimate that more than 30,000 people are living with dementia without being diagnosed with the condition.
Alzheimer’s Society carried out the research as part of Dementia Action Week.
A spokesperson for the organisation said: “The research drove home how important timely diagnosis is, as many people who had ignored their symptoms and put off going to their GP had ended up reaching a crisis point, such as hospitalisation, before they sought a diagnosis.
“Tens of thousands of people are currently living without a diagnosis and the pandemic has caused a sustained drop in dementia diagnoses for the first time ever, with rates falling to a five-year low.
“We estimate, due to the backlog caused by the pandemic, that there are over 30,000 people living without dementia diagnosis they would otherwise have received, which would unlock vital support and care.”
Dementia symptoms
NHS Scotland says that the risks of developing dementia increases as you get older and usually occurs in people over the age of 65.
Dementia is a syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of the brain and its activities.
Problems include:
- Memory loss
- Thinking speed
- Mental agility
- Language
- Understanding
- Judgement
- Increased difficulties with tasks and activities that require concentration and planning
- Depression
- Changes in personality and mood
- Periods of mental confusion
- Difficulty finding the right words
People with dementia can also become pathetic or uninterested in their usual activities and have problems controlling their emotions.
They can also find social situations challenging, lose interest in socialising and aspects of their personality may change.
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