The facts about dementia you need to read
Thanks to advances in medicine we’re living longer than ever. Thus, it’s now more important to be aware of the signs of dementia. We sat down with Margaret Ryan, Head of Dementia Services for Bupa, to sort fact from fiction when it comes to dementia.
Why do you need to know?
The risk of dementia increases the older you get – about 1 in 10 people over 65 have dementia, and about 1 in 3 people over the age of 85. But – and it’s an important distinction – dementia isn’t a disease of ageing or a normal part of the ageing process. Not all older people get dementia. As our risk develops with age it’s important that all over-60s be aware of the early warning signs, which are often subtle, vague and not immediately apparent.
What is dementia?
Most people immediately think of Alzheimer’s disease when talking about dementia – indeed the terms are often used interchangeably – but dementia actually describes a collection of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain.
“Dementia in itself isn’t a disease,” says Margaret Ryan, Head of Dementia Services for Bupa, “it’s an umbrella term, covering a whole range of diseases and conditions that affect the brain that are progressive and irreversible.
“A good analogy is the term cancer. We use the word cancer to cover a whole range of cancers that can be quite different.”
There are hundreds of different types of dementia but Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type, followed by vascular dementia.
What are the early signs of dementia?
The following list mainly refers to an Alzheimer’s-type dementia where the progression is slow and predictable. While these are signs that are experienced by most people living with dementia, the nature and severity of any symptom can vary considerably between individuals.
1. Progressive and frequent memory loss
We’re all forgetful occasionally but there’s a difference between forgetfulness because you’re tired or stressed, and memory loss that could signify dementia.
“The difference is when you have dementia you forget that you’ve forgotten,” Ms Ryan explains, “If you still have an awareness that you’ve forgotten something, it’s usually just forgetfulness. For example, there’s a difference between forgetting where you parked your car and forgetting you have a car.”
2. Confusion, disorientation and getting lost easily
People who have dementia can sometimes seem to be suspicious and paranoid. “It’s not in a psychiatric sense,” explains Ms Ryan, “it’s that they haven’t been able to remember things or are wondering why they can’t remember, so in trying to make sense of what is going on they can appear to be suspicious or paranoid.”
3. Changes in mood or behaviour
We can all be moody from time-to-time and it’s no different when you live with dementia. What might be different is your ability to express what you are feeling and why. This can mean a person may act or react in ways that seem strange, but this can sometimes just be the person trying to communicate their needs.
4. Difficulty with language
People with dementia can still communicate fairly well, Ms Ryan says, but might have trouble naming simple words. “They might be trying to say pass me the TV remote but forget the word for remote.”
Why is early diagnosis so important?
Family and friends often notice the warning signs of dementia before the person experiencing it. If you notice a loved one displaying some of these symptoms, you should start a conversation with them and encourage them to see a healthcare professional for tests.
Related link: How dementia and Alzheimer’s are tested
Ms Ryan is quick to emphasise that even if you or a loved one are showing some of these signs, you shouldn’t immediately jump to the conclusion that it is dementia.
“A lot of people can inordinately worry about it, but there are other things that can mimic signs of dementia,” Ms Ryan explains.
“People living with depression can often have the same sort of difficulties with memories and concentration. The other thing that it could be, which is very common in older people, is called a delirium. The person may be presenting memory loss, confusion, not acting ways that are normal for them.”
Ms Ryan believes the stigma surrounding a diagnosis of dementia means that people often don’t get tested, believing signs will simply go away or are part of ageing. But early diagnosis is important and while there is no cure, there are drugs that can be taken to slow the progression of the condition and strategies that can support independence.
“If you’re in your 70s and 80s, any slowing down of the disease can still give you a fairly good quality of life and perhaps let you make some decisions about your care, which could otherwise be a lot of pressure and stress for the family to make the big decisions,” Ms Ryan says.
“Even if you’re living with dementia, with support and care, you can still live well,” she reminds us all.
How do you know if a loved one has dementia? Click here for some useful information.