What is Dementia?
Dementia is a word we give to a set of symptoms affecting different aspects of thinking and brain function. It is a progressive disorder that affects how the brain works and in particular, the ability to remember, think and reason. The symptoms get worse over time and affect the way we live our lives.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging; it is the result of physical diseases that damage the brain.
Dementia affects people in different ways, depending on the type of dementia. It is a general term but there are many different types of dementia with the most common one being Alzheimer’s disease. The impact can be physical, emotional and psychological, and can profoundly change the practicalities of everyday life which we sometimes take for granted.
If you are not sure about the symptoms and details of types of dementia, you are not alone. Quite often, initial symptoms can be a little confusing to understand, both for the person suffering and for friends or family members around them.
Recognise the signs of Dementia
It is not always immediately clear that a person is living with dementia. First symptoms might show that thy don’t seem like the person they used to be, but it is important to understand that everyone’s dementia journey is unique.
People will maintain different strengths and abilities and experience different challenges along the course of the disease. They might say or do things that seem strange and will find it harder to do everyday tasks.
Top 6 Early Dementia Symptoms
Symptoms of dementia may develop gradually and go unnoticed for a long time, so it helps to be informed to know when to be concerned and visit your GP. Here are the top 6 common dementia symptoms:
Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities: Are you, or the person you know, forgetting things often or struggling to retain new information?
Difficulty performing familiar tasks: Are you, or the person you know, forgetting how to do a typical routine or task, such as preparing a meal or getting dressed?
Problems with language: Are you, or the person you know, forgetting words or substituting words that don’t fit into a conversation?
Disorientation to time and place: Are you, or the person you know, having problems knowing what day of the week it is or getting lost in a familiar place?
Impaired judgment: Are you, or the person you know, not recognizing something that can put health and safety at risk?
Misplacing things: Are you, or the person you know, putting things in places where they shouldn’t be?