Dementia is a term used for a range of neurological conditions that cause the loss of cognitive functioning, such as thinking, reasoning and remembering, which often leads to behavioural and personality changes.
Recognising the disease early is essential for ensuring the affected person gets the support and care they need.
Although, trying to differ these symptoms from normal ageing can be difficult. A survey led by the Alzheimer’s Society highlighted a concerning trend.
Only a third of people report symptoms of dementia within the first month of noticing them, either in themselves or someone close, reports the Gloucestershire Live.
The survey which gathered feedback from 1,100 participants, suggests that people remained silent as they are unsure as to whether their symptoms were down to dementia or simply age-related changes.
The organisation reported that: “One in three people (33 percent) who notice symptoms of dementia in themselves, or a loved one keep their fears to themselves for over a month.”
Additionally, the survey revealed that 15 percent of individuals act immediately upon spotting potential dementia signs, while 11 percent confessed to not discussing their worries at all, despite recognising initial symptoms. By not speaking up, the process of getting support is completely delayed, with 23 percent of people waiting for more than a half a year before consulting a GP.
Early signs of dementia include having trouble following conversations, concentration difficulties, and forgetful moments. Symptoms that are all dismissed as signs of ageing, brushed off as an attribute to hearing loss or mere forgetfulness.
However, a recent poll showed that 16 percent of those surveyed admitted they were actively “avoiding” seeking a diagnosis as a concern for it’s effects on their personal relationships with partners, friends or family members.
The data also uncovered that 44 percent worry about being condescended to by family members or caretakers, who will “talk down” to them.
Seven possible early symptoms of dementia include:
- Difficulty following a conversation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
- Hearing loss
- Forgetfulness
- Mood swings
- Difficulty moving
The CEO of Alzheimer’s Society, Kate Lee is urging people to acknowledge their symptoms. She said: “We can’t continue to avoid the ‘d’ word – we need to face dementia head on.”
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She advices individuals, who spot a potential symptom to use their checklist and talk to their GP. She stated: “As soon as you realise something is not right, come to Alzheimer’s Society – you can use our symptoms checklist to help have that all-important first chat with your GP.”
According to the charity, signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia can be:
- Poor judgment and decision-making
- Inability to manage a budget
- Losing track of the date or the season
- Difficulty having a conversation
- Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them
Whereas age-related changes can include:
- Making a bad decision occasionally
- Missing a monthly payment
- Forgetting which day it is and remembering it later
- Forgetting which word to use
- Losing things from time to time
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