Early signs of Dementia

Early signs of dementia

Dementia occurs more often than you may think. The NHS estimates that 1 in 14 of people over 65 will develop dementia and this rises to 1 in 6 for people over 80.

There are several different types of dementia and symptoms may vary. In the early stages, symptoms can be relatively mild and can often go unnoticed.

At Right at Home East Lancashire and Ribble Valley we want to offer our expert knowledge to help you identify the early signs and symptoms of dementia.

What is dementia?
• Dementia is the term used to describe a group of symptoms that result from damage to the brain caused by different diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
• Symptoms can vary depending on the area of the brain which is damaged.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
• Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include memory problems, confusion in unfamiliar settings, asking questions repetitively, difficulty in finding the right words, difficulty with tasks and activities that require organisation and planning, becoming more withdrawn and anxious, difficulty with numbers and/or handling change in shops.

Symptoms of early Dementia
• Early symptoms can vary significantly from person to person.
• Common early symptoms are memory loss, difficulty concentrating, finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, mood changes, being confused about time and place, challenges in planning or problem-solving, decreased or poor judgement.
• Further information and guidance on the early signs and symptoms of dementia can be found by visiting the Alzheimer’s Society website here.

Memory loss
• Memory loss is one of the most common early signs of dementia.
• Memory loss also varies from person to person and especially in the early stages of dementia it can seem to come and go.
• For people suffering from dementia, memory loss can affect their ability to carry out daily tasks. This can include preparing a meal, taking public transport or going to the shops.

Mood changes
• Mood changes can be sudden and can occur for no apparent reason.
• In the early stages of dementia, a person may also become confused, suspicious, depressed or anxious.

Decreased or poor judgement
• Poor judgement is another common early symptom of dementia.
• Typically, poor judgement can result in a person having difficulty making the appropriate decisions for things such as knowing what clothes to wear in colder weather.

Are you worried someone has dementia?
• If someone you know is displaying any of the symptoms we have discussed, even if it is just one, you should encourage them to see a GP.
• Further information, advice, and support on the Alzheimer’s Society.
• Other online resources are available online and can offer valuable guidance and support if you or a loved one has dementia. They include Dementia UK and the NHS website.
• If dementia is found early, its progress can sometimes be slowed, allowing the person to maintain their mental function for longer.

How can we help?
• Our specialist team of CareGivers can support your loved ones to remain in the comfort of their own home whilst receiving the highest quality care.
• At Right at Home East Lancashire and Ribble Valley we are proud Dementia Friends and our staff are trained to provide the best support for people living with dementia. You can find out more information about the Dementia Friends initiative here.
• For more information about our homecare services, please contact a member of our friendly office team on 01254 658899