An expert has sounded the alarm that an “early” warning sign of dementia might be spotted when someone is watching their favourite television programmes. According to a medical professional, this subtle change could be among the initial indicators that a loved one is grappling with the syndrome.
Dementia encompasses a range of symptoms associated with the gradual deterioration of brain function. It’s a condition that nearly one million UK residents are currently living with – a number expected to surge as the population ages.
While many are familiar with the more overt signs of dementia, there are other, less obvious symptoms that can go unnoticed. In light of this, neurology consultant Dr Tim Rittman highlighted the challenges in distinguishing early-stage dementia from other conditions.
Writing for Alzheimer’s Research UK, he said: “In its early stages, dementia can be difficult to tell apart from other conditions. And that means it can be hard to know how much to worry if you think someone might be a bit different than when you last saw them. That’s understandable – it’s something many of us know very little about.”
However, a YouGov survey revealed that under half of the respondents (49%) could identify “memory loss” as a consequence of dementia. Merely 12% of the 2,162 participants were aware that dementia leads to a loss of independence, while almost a quarter (22%) admitted to being clueless about the impact of the condition on individuals.
Dr Rittman continued: “It’s a surprising finding, given how dementia will impact so many of us”. He emphasised the importance of raising awareness about early signs of dementia, saying: “It is important, then, to raise awareness of early signs of dementia so people with symptoms can be referred to a memory clinic for a full assessment and an accurate, timely diagnosis. “
He added that an early diagnosis allows individuals and their families to plan ahead, access appropriate care and support, and consider participating in research. Dr Rittman went on to highlight some key symptoms to be aware of, explaining: “When it first starts, dementia’s signs and symptoms are often mild and not that easy to spot.”
He noted that mild forgetfulness, changes in perception or speech could be early indicators of a problem. However, he cautioned: “It’s really important to know that these kinds of symptoms can have other causes, such as low mood, or the side-effects of medications. But they could be early signs of dementia.”
According to Dr Rittman, issues with memory and thinking, common symptoms of dementia, might become noticeable when someone is watching television. They may struggle to follow the storyline of a favourite programme, finding it “difficult to follow”.
He said: “Early on forgetfulness could be mild, affecting memory for places or things that have happened in the past. You may notice someone asking the same question in quick succession, or struggling to remember the name of objects around the house.
“People may find they struggle to concentrate on daily tasks, or they may find following the storyline of a TV programme difficult for example.”
Other common signs of dementia, as listed by the NHS, include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, getting muddled in daily tasks, struggling to follow conversations or recall words, confusion over time and place, and sudden mood swings. If you notice symptoms in a loved one, consult you should their GP for guidance.