There are five lesser-known symptoms of dementia people may be “surprised” to learn about – including one that can appear “years or decades” before other warning signs, according to a doctor.
The NHS describes dementia as “a syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning.” The health service’s website adds: “Dementia is not only about memory loss. It can also affect the way you speak, think, feel and behave.”
Now, a medical expert known as Dr Bing – who regularly shares health advice on social media – has dismissed the common misconception that dementia is “just about memory loss” by explaining some other common warning signs on his TikTok page. He said there are certain signs “everybody should know about.”
Financial problems
“One of the early signs of dementia can be difficulty managing money,” Dr Bing said. “This could look like missing payments, struggling with simple budgeting, or making financial decisions that just seem out of character.” This could include giving away money when someone normally wouldn’t or falling victim to scams.
The National Institute on Aging in the US supports this. “People with Alzheimer’s disease (one of the most common forms of dementia) or a related dementia often have problems managing their money,” their website states. “Research shows that money problems may be one of the first noticeable signs of the disease.”
Trouble sleeping
Dr Bing continued: “As people age and become older, they tend to sleep more lightly and go to bed and wake up a little earlier than they used to. That is completely normal.
“However, if there are dramatic changes in someone’s sleep habits, where they are starting their morning at, say, 2am, or [are] unable to stay awake during the day, it can be a sign of dementia.”
Personality changes
“Dementia can affect mood and personality,” Dr Bing continued. “Someone who was once calm might become easily agitated or even aggressive.”
The NHS lists “mood changes” as one of the symptoms of dementia. This can look different in different people, so it’s important to be alert for behaviour that is out of character if you suspect a loved one may have dementia.
Issues with driving
Dr Bing added: “People with early dementia might get lost on roads they drive on all the time, start running stop signs and red lights, [or] miss exits on the highway.” While everyone may occasionally have a lapse in concentration and miss their turning, Dr Bing says if this starts happening consistently, it could be a sign that something is wrong.
The NHS states that “being confused about time and place” and having “difficulty concentrating” are both possible symptoms of dementia which could cause this phenomenon.
Loss of smell
Dr Bing rounded off his advice with a symptom you might notice in the kitchen. “This might surprise you,” he said. “But losing the ability to smell could be one of the first signs of dementia.
“Many people that eventually go on to develop dementia begin to lose their sense of smell years or even decades before other symptoms appear.”
This is backed by the National Institute on Aging, which states: “The sense of smell declines with age, and loss of olfactory function is also an early symptom of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.”