A care expert has highlighted five early warning signs of dementia that you should look out for – if you notice these symptoms in a loved one, you should take them to a GP
It’s estimated that a staggering 982,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, and this figure is expected to rise to 1.4million by 2040.
The diagnosis of Hollywood actor Bruce Willis with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a lesser-known form of the disease that affects behaviour and language, has brought the issue into sharp focus. According to the NHS, dementia primarily affects those over 65, with the risk of developing the condition doubling every five years after this age.
Stewart McGinn, Managing Director at Baycroft Care Homes, has stressed the significance of spotting early warning signs of FTD. He said: “FTD is a much less common type of dementia which also causes problems with behaviours and language, and typically is diagnosed in people from the age of 45 and up.”
He explained how FTD predominantly impacts areas of the brain associated with personality, behaviour and speech, mainly located at the frontal and temporal lobes. This results in symptoms appearing primarily in these functions.
In his efforts to encourage early detection, the care expert highlighted certain “early” symptoms to look out for…
Losing things
He said: “This could be continuously losing their glasses or finding items in strange places, like a TV remote in the fridge or food items with the cleaning products.”
Furthermore, he highlighted that those with dementia might start finding organisation and planning exceedingly challenging, with concentration becoming “harder” as the disease advances.
Difficulty speaking
McGinn said language difficulties could also be an early warning of dementia, explaining: “A sign that can indicate a person is suffering from dementia is having difficulty forming sentences or finding the right words during conversations.
“While everyone can forget the odd word from time to time, regularly struggling to remember words or substituting them in sentences with random words can indicate someone is suffering.”
Memory issues
Memory issues are often the most recognised symptom of the condition. “Whether your loved one is frequently forgetting the names of people they know, or is unable to recall recent events or new information learned, it’s best to get them checked out by a doctor,” the expert said
Mood swings
“This can be a person’s mood quickly changing from calm to angry, or emotional, without reason, or if they become generally more withdrawn or anxious,” McGinn noted.
Confusion surrounding time and place
We often chuckle at those moments when we enter a room and forget our reason for being there, but they can be serious signs of something wrong. McGinn said: “For example, your elderly family member might become lost on a street they have walked down their whole life and struggle to find their way home.
“Your loved one might get confused about time, being unable to distinguish between their past and present.
“This could include confusing family members with people from their past, like their own parents, and struggling to remember people from their present, like their grandchildren.”
If you notice such symptoms in someone close to you, McGinn stresses the importance of visiting a GP.