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How to spot dementia and what to do next…

12:00am | & Health

With more people living longer, one of the health challenges facing society is the growing number of people suffering with dementia.

Previously called ‘senile dementia’ or just ‘senility’, dementia is an umbrella term for a group of related symptoms associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning.

It is usually, though not always, related to ageing and there are several types of dementia. The two moist common are ‘Alzheimer’s Disease’, for which the exact cause is not fully understood, and ‘vascular dementia’, which is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. Both are progressive diseases, getting worse over time, although several studies suggest ways to slow their progress.

Many people worry about getting dementia as they get older, particularly if they don’t feel as mentally sharp as they once were or start to become more forgetful. Some degree of memory loss in older age is not unusual and can be affected by tiredness, stress, underlying medical conditions or the medication taken for them. Similarly, it can be harder to learn new things or process information as quickly as we get older, but again this can be just part of getting older for many people.

Dementia is more pronounced, persistent and will affect more areas of your everyday life than memory loss alone. While usually age-related, it is not a natural part of ageing and we can take steps to prevent dementia, slow its progress and alleviate its symptoms. But what are the symptoms to look out for?

Dementia can affect the way you think about things, the way you behave, your moods and emotions and the way you speak. People around you are likely to spot symptoms in the way you interact with them, although they might not realise these are symptoms of dementia. Some of the main symptoms associated with dementia include:

  • Memory loss, especially becoming more pronounced and frequent
  • Difficulty processing information, understanding things and problem solving
  • Changes in the way you speak or write and the type of language you use
  • Becoming prone to mood swings or seeming in a low mood and apathetic
  • Difficulties carrying out normal everyday activities, such as finding the correct change
  •  Some people with dementia might start to move differently

People with dementia often struggle to control their emotions. Someone who has always been very even-tempered might start to get angry, frustrated or visibly upset much more quickly and over apparently minor things. Other personality traits may change noticeably; some people with dementia can become aggressive, even towards those closest to them. Others can seem to lose interest in the world around them, or things they used to enjoy, becoming generally more ‘disconnected’ and apathetic.

As planning, organising and decision-making become difficult, someone with dementia will usually need more help. People with dementia can easily get lost, forgetting where they are or how to get to where they need to be. A gradual loss of independence is one of the main results of dementia.

If you think you, or someone close to you, might be showing early signs of dementia, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis. Although there is currently no ‘cure’ for dementia there are many ways to slow it down and maintain good mental function for longer, and the earlier it is diagnosed the better. With treatment and support, many people with dementia enjoy active and fulfilled lives.

The first step is to make an appointment with your GP, who will talk about the symptoms and, if necessary, refer you for more specific tests. Remember, you can’t make an appointment to talk about someone else, but you can encourage someone to see their GP and offer to go along with them. If symptoms are mild or infrequent your doctor might diagnose ‘Mild Cognitive Impairment’ (MCI), denoting a slight loss of brain function but not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia.

Some people with MCI go on to develop dementia and some don’t, but it’s still worth knowing so you can monitor symptoms and watch for any deterioration. Even if dementia is diagnosed, it’s best to know so you can begin taking appropriate steps.

For more information and advice on dementia, visit the NHS Choices website by clicking here or you can click here to visit the Dementia UK website, which also has a free helpline on 0800 888 6678.

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