Dementia has 200 known variants – including Alzheimers. It displays differently in every person and can impact adults of any age.
In the UK a staggering 850,000 people are grappling with dementia – and as the population ages this figure is set to rise.
This illness slowly erodes cognitive functions and memory, and despite its prevalence, it remains notoriously elusive to diagnose. With a whopping 200 variants, including Alzheimer’s, dementia manifests uniquely in each individual and can affect adults of any age. However, certain early warning signs tend to surface in most cases.
Early detection can be crucial, potentially decelerating the progression of the disease, though a definitive cure remains elusive. The Alzheimer’s Association advises: “With early detection, you can explore treatments that may provide some relief of symptoms and help you maintain a level of independence longer, as well as increase your chances of participating in clinical drug trials.”
Many people think that the only sign of dementia is memory loss, however there are other early giveaways that can help lead to a prompt diagnoses.
Key early indicators of dementia
As dementia sets in, changes in personality are common. The Alzheimer’s Society states: “Personalities can change in subtle ways over time. However, a person living with dementia may experience more striking personality changes and can become confused, suspicious or withdrawn. Changes may also include lack of interest or fearfulness.”
The disease can alter one’s mood, which might be mistaken for a shift in personality. The Alzheimer’s Society has highlighted that “Someone living with dementia can show varied mood swings from calmness to tears to anger for no apparent reason.”
It’s also widely recognised by experts that those with dementia often lose interest in their daily activities, leading to a more passive lifestyle. If an individual begins to withdraw from social gatherings or neglects household tasks, it could be an early sign of dementia setting in.
Full list of dementia symptoms
Dementia can impact everyone differently. When a doctor is looking to diagnose dementia, they will identify these signs and symptoms, according to Dementia UK:
Memory problems
- increasing forgetfulness
- difficulty retaining new information
- getting lost in places that used to be familiar
- struggling with names
- misplacing things frequently
Cognitive ability
- difficulty understanding time and place, eg getting up in the middle of the night to go to work, even if they’re retired
- difficulty with choosing what to buy and paying when shopping
- struggling with decision-making and reasoning
- loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
- restlessness, eg pacing, fidgeting and trying to leave the house
Communication
- struggling to find the right words
- repeating themselves often
- difficulty making and following conversation
- difficulty reading and writing
- becoming quieter and more withdrawn
- loss of interest in socialising
- loss of confidence
- changes in personality and behaviour
- mood swings, anxiety and depression
How to prevent dementia
Although there is no known cure for dementia, the illness can be slowed down. Some dementia risk factors, such as age and genetics, are inevitable – whereas others are within our control.
The NHS suggests that risk factors such as hearing loss, untreated depression, loneliness, or sitting for most of the day, may be important. As a general rule, a healthy lifestyle could – and should – help the speed with which dementia develops and spreads.
