As we get older it is expected that certain aspects of our health and wellbeing will decline. Mental sharpness is part of this, as our memories and ability to think quickly is not as good as it once was.
Although frustrating this is usually nothing to worry about. However, if this makes daily tasks difficult and gets progressively worse, it could be a sign of dementia.
Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms related to the ongoing decline of the brain. It is most common in those over the age of 65 and is thought to affect almost one million people in the UK.
Many of us are aware of some of the tell tale indicators of dementia. Memory loss is one such sign that would prompt concern.
However, there are others that can appear in a person’s day-to-day life that should sound alarm bells.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, such symptoms could appear when talking to a person with dementia.
The charity warns that there are three “early” signs of the condition that affect their ability to hold a conversation.
These are:
- Stopping in the middle of a conversation
- Repeating themselves
- Using the wrong word for something.
If you spot any of these signs it is worth speaking to a GP.
However, the charity adds that “sometimes” having trouble finding the right word can just be a “typical” age-related issue.
The Alzheimer’s Association explains: “People living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may have trouble following or joining a conversation.
“They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves.
“They may struggle with vocabulary, have trouble naming a familiar object or use the wrong name (eg, calling a watch a ‘hand-clock’).”
The medical term for these problems is aphasia.
Alzheimer’s Scotland lists this as a “lesser known” sign of dementia.
“You could notice a person struggling to follow a conversation, or that they are unable to find the right words,” it says.
“Sometimes a person might use a related word that is just ‘not quite right’ like jumper instead of jacket.
“This is called ‘aphasia’. This can affect names too, even with people they know well.”
Other early stage signs of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, include:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgement
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality.
If you notice any of these symptoms in someone you should seek medical help.
Although there is no cure for dementia there are treatments and support available.