Dementia is fast becoming one of the most prominent diseases of the ageing population, particularly in wealthier western countries. Dementia itself is a broad umbrella term for a range of progressive neurological disorders. Obviously as we get older our mind and body starts to slow down, however there are certain symptoms to be aware of that are not just ‘old age’, and if they become regular and consistent then it is best to seek medical advice.

Memory problems
Problems with memory, and in particular the short term memory, means new information is hard to retain. Someone with Dementia may get lost in familiar places, struggle to put correct names to items and people, forget how to use items correctly, and in the advanced stages forget how to complete basic tasks such as eating and washing.

Cognitive ability
People with Dementia can experience confusion and difficulty orienting in time and place – for example, waking up in the middle of the night to get ready for work, despite being retired. Being unable to sustain concentration and having appropriate reasoning can also be a problem when accessing daily tasks such as shopping and getting dressed.

Communication
Dementia sufferers may have difficulty finding the right words, repeat themselves and in the more advanced stages stop initiating conversations. Reading and writing becomes a challenge and this can be of particular concern when signing important paperwork that they may not be able to read but sign anyway. People with Dementia may experience mood swings, act out of character and have feelings of anxiety and depression.

All of these symptoms can combine to make the person stop engaging in social activities and become withdrawn as their social confidence will be affected. When you start noticing symptoms in someone you love it can be a very scary and difficult thing to accept, but the earlier a diagnosis is made, the more that can be done to slow the symptoms down and give you maximum time together.

Care has greatly improved over the years
The most well known form of Dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease, followed by Vascular Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Young Onset Dementia. The differences mainly lie in which areas of the brain that are affected and how gradual or quickly the symptoms appear. There can often be a combination of the types, but a specialist will explain in detail.

Care for people with Dementia has greatly improved over the years and now there are many specialist homes and training for care staff. It is a terrifying disease for the person with it and heartbreaking for loved ones to watch their husband, wife, mother, father, grandparent or friend disappear infront of their eyes. So make sure you contact local support groups for help and advice.