One in four people with symptoms of dementia have had to wait more than two years to get a diagnosis, research released by Alzheimer's Society today has revealed. The study also suggested that almost half of dementia sufferers found that confusing their symptoms with old age was a key reason why it took them so long to get a diagnosis.
Dementia is caused when a disease damages the nerve cells in the brain, leading to a difficulty in the brain being able to work as effectively as before. There are different diseases which all affect the brain in different ways and these are identified by the different types of dementia.
Around 19 out of 20 people with dementia will have one of four main types. More than 520,000 people in the UK are estimated to have dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease, making it the most common cause of dementia.
Alzheimer’s Society reports that three out of five people with dementia wished they had received a diagnosis sooner. With that in mind, we have looked at some of the early signs to look out for which might help you in spotting dementia early.
Changes in mood
People with Alzheimer’s will often experience heightened mood and emotional changes. “It is common to become more irritable – perhaps in frustration at lost abilities – or easily upset,” the Alzheimer’s Society said.
“A person can often be more withdrawn, lack self-confidence and lose interest in hobbies or people.” From anxiety to being frightened, people showing early signs of Alzheimer’s can often feel a range of different moods and emotions.
Language changes
A common occurrence in Alzheimer’s can be changes in language and a difficulty to remember key words or phrases. Depending on the exact type of dementia, some people might experience various language problems, such as struggling to find the right words, taking long pauses while speaking or having difficulty understanding what is being said.
Confusion
Alongside forgetfulness and emotional changes, confusion can be another early sign of Alzheimer’s. Signs of confusion could include needing help with daily bills, such as shopping or paying bills.
Memory loss
“Memory loss is often the first and main symptom in early Alzheimer’s disease,” the Alzheimer’s Society says. It can often involve people not being able to recall special events, often losing items around the house, or not being able to remember names.
Other signs include getting lost in a familiar place, finding it hard to follow conversations and struggling with steps in a recipe. These symptoms can be seen across different types of dementia.
The perception of memory loss
A recent study published in the Alzheimer’s and Dementia journal suggested that a strong early indicator of Alzheimer’s could be the perception of memory loss, which could come before memory loss itself. Subjective cognitive impairment (SCD) is when people feel that their memory is starting to decline but tests are unable to reveal signs of deterioration.
There is a need for further research, but experts suggest there is a strong indicator of early-stage Alzheimer's disease in those who experience SCD following a series of studies. "In many individuals with SCD, there is no progressive loss of cognitive performance. To assess the individual risk more accurately, other factors have to be taken into account," researchers say.
"We have now been able to specify these. If, in addition to SCD, there is also evidence that certain proteins accumulate in the brain, then taken together that's a strong sign for developing Alzheimer's disease.”
However, memory loss can also be a sign of other health conditions, such as anxiety, thyroid problems, menopause, head injuries or urinary tract infections.
Delusions
The NHS suggests that delusions, hallucinations and paranoia could be symptoms of middle-stage Alzheimer’s. These include believing things are untrue and feeling paranoid or suspicious about people or situations.
Hallucinations involving hearing, seeing, smelling, or believing things that are not really there could be another sign. An over heightened sense of suspicion and fear could also tie into this.
Checklist to help identify symptoms
To tie into Dementia Action Week this week, Alzheimer’s Society have partnered with the Royal College of GPs to produce a new checklist to help people identify possible symptoms of dementia and seek help in getting diagnosed.
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.
“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.”
You can find more information about dementia on the Alzheimer’s Society website. You can also call Alzheimer’s Society on 0333 150 3456.
