A lesser-known symptom of dementia could appear when someone walks, according to experts. This could not only alert you to a decline in their cognitive function but also put them at greater risk of physical injury.
It is thought almost one million people in the UK are living with dementia. It is a syndrome, or group of associated symptoms, linked to the ongoing decline of the brain. Many of us are aware of some of the common early symptoms. These include memory loss, behavioural changes, and difficulties with language.
But there are some physical signs that can affect the way a person moves. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, someone in the later stages of dementia might start to walk more slowly.
“At this stage they may walk more slowly, with a shuffle and less steadily – eventually they may spend more time in a chair or in bed,” the charity says.
They might also be at “increased risk of falls,” it adds. The charity warns that this can put the affected person at risk of other dangerous health problems.
“The person’s reduced mobility, in particular, raises their chances of blood clots and infections,” it says. “These can be very serious or even fatal so it is vital that the person is supported to be as mobile as they can.”
Dementia UK adds that this could be a sign that someone has Lewy body dementia, which is just one of the many forms of the condition. This can cause: “slow movement, difficulty walking, shuffling, or appearing rigid”.
On top of this, research suggests that your walking pace could predict your likelihood of developing dementia long before a diagnosis. A study published in JAMA Network Open indicated that a slower walking pace in later life could be a red flag for the condition.
The study monitored 17,000 adults over the age of 75. The findings revealed that those who lost 0.05 metres per second from their walking pace each year showed signs of mental decline.
The researchers proposed that this could be due to brain decline affecting areas involved in controlling walking and pace. Over a seven-year period, participants’ walking speeds and cognition were tested biennially. Those showing declines in both cognition and walking speed were identified as having a higher risk of dementia.
Study authors wrote: “These results highlight the importance of gait in dementia risk assessment. They suggest that dual decline in gait speed and memory measure may be the best combination to assess future decline.”
The NHS lists early “common” symptoms of dementia as:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping
- Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
- Being confused about time and place
- Mood changes.
If you or someone you know experiences symptoms, you should speak to a doctor.