Signs and symptoms of Dementia

Nearly a quarter of a million people will be diagnosed with dementia in the UK this year, which equates to a staggering one person every three minutes.

Many people will probably be able to cast their minds back to campaigns done by dementia charities to raise awareness of the condition, such as ‘Santa Forgot,’ ‘World Cup Heroes United Against Dementia,’ or more recently, the #ShareTheOrange film, which educated people about dementia simply by peeling an orange to symbolise how dementia affects the brain.

Despite increased awareness and understanding amongst the general population, however, there can still be a stigma attached to dementia, which makes it difficult for people to talk about the condition openly and pick up on signs that their loved one is displaying.

Different types of dementia can affect people differently, and although there are some well-known symptoms to look out for, every person is different. Some of the most common signs include:

Memory loss

One of the first things that springs to mind when people mention ‘dementia’ is memory loss. We all forget things now and again, but people living with dementia may forget the names of those close to them, where they live, or what they had for dinner last night.

Finding it hard to carry out everyday tasks

A progressive change in a person’s ability to carry out tasks that were once easy to them is a common sign of dementia. They may have difficulty doing more complex tasks such as cashing a cheque or playing a board game and struggle to learn how to do new things.

Difficulty finding the right words

An early symptom of dementia is the inability to communicate thoughts. The person may struggle to express how they’re feeling and what they need, making conversations with them take a lot longer than usual to conclude.

Getting confused about the time and place

People living with dementia can often revert back to old memories and believe that they are still living in a time that has long passed, or struggle to remember whether it’s day or night. It is common for them to become disorientated and get lost in familiar surroundings, such as the road they live on, and forget how to get home.

Mood changes

A person with dementia lives at the mercy of their emotions. Life can become extremely confusing to them and this in turn can cause them to become very passive, sleep more than usual and lose interest in things that once gave them lots of enjoyment.

Misplacing things

Someone living with dementia may start forgetting where they’ve put everyday items or begin putting them in unusual places. This may lead to them accusing those around them of stealing or trying to plot against them.

Decreased or poor judgement

It is quite common for a person with dementia to experience changes in judgement or decision-making. They may put themselves at unnecessary risk by putting stoves on and leaving the room, or start paying less attention to keeping themselves clean and hygienic.

Support available

It can be a difficult time when you suspect that your loved one is living with dementia, but it is important to know that there is help and support out there for everyone involved.