Experts have warned that two symptoms of dementia could become apparent while shopping. If you spot these signs in a loved one, it’s important to seek medical advice promptly.
Dementia is a syndrome characterised by the gradual decline of brain function, leading to issues such as memory loss, behavioural changes, and difficulties with speech and language. According to specialists at the Alzheimer’s Society, it can also cause misperceptions and misidentifications, Express reports.
This means the affected person may confuse objects or even people, perceiving them as something or someone else. There are various factors that could lead to this confusion.
The Alzheimer’s Society provides an example of how dementia affects perception:
- The brain’s visual system may be damaged, causing the object to be misperceived, like confusing a television remote for a mobile phone.
- Alternatively, the object might be clearly seen but misidentified due to brain damage, leading to the remote being misunderstood as a mobile phone.
“A person with dementia may also have ‘visuospatial difficulties’, when the brain has problems processing information about 3D objects,” the charity says. “This can affect a person’s spatial awareness or the ability to judge distances. They may have difficulties using stairs, parking a car or recognising objects.”
As we age, our eyesight can deteriorate, leading to difficulties with object recognition, especially when shopping. The Alzheimer’s Society points out that dementia can cause some people to:
- Try using a bus pass as a payment card
- Struggle to use the correct coins when paying for something.
The charity adds that “misperceptions and misidentifications can lead a person with dementia to make errors in how they use an object,” while the NHS notes that “getting confused over the correct change when shopping” is also a common symptom of dementia.
If you notice someone showing these symptoms, the Alzheimer’s Society offers helpful advice on how to provide support. It suggests: “A person with dementia who is misperceiving or misidentifying things may feel unsure about their surroundings, and feel less confident and independent.
“You can support the person by reassuring them when they make mistakes, and build their confidence and willingness to go to new places. If they do not notice that they are making mistakes, it could be that they lack insight into their dementia. They may become irritated or more easily frustrated if you point out mistakes.”
The Alzheimer’s Society advises that maintaining familiar surroundings can be beneficial for those experiencing misperceptions or misidentifications. It explains: “This is because they may rely more on memory and habit than on perception to move safely around their home.
“Try not to move furniture, or change where things are kept, as this can make it more difficult for them to relate to their space.”
Dementia symptoms
Other common dementia symptoms to watch for include:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
- Confusion about time and place
- Mood changes
With nearly one million people in the UK living with dementia, if you or someone you know shows these signs, it’s important to speak with a GP.