There are many warning signs of dementia, aside from the most commonly associated issue of memory loss, from how an affected person walks to how they talk. The Alzheimer's Association, whose figures say that over one million people in the UK are living with the neurodegenerative disorder, has outlined warning signs of dementia that can be seen in how a person talks.
The charity detailed three signs of potential dementia that you can notice when talking to a person who could have the disease. These possible red flags are: repeating themselves, stopping in the middle of a conversation, and using the wrong words to describe something.
The Alzheimer's Association advises that you should immediately visit a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. However, it is also worth keeping in mind that these issues don't necessarily mean someone is suffering from a neurodegenerative issue.
It is not uncommon for an elderly person to have problems with memory loss. "Sometimes," the charity said, having problems with finding the correct words or descriptions can be a "typical" issue for people in an older age bracket.
“People living with Alzheimer's or other dementia may have trouble following or joining a conversation," explained the Alzheimer's Association.
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“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’).”
Aphasia is the correct medical terminology for these issues and it is, according to Alzheimer's Scotland, 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,” they said.
“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 signs to look out for, according to the Alzheimer's Association, are:
If you notice any of these signs in a loved one, you should encourage them to receive medical help. While there is no cure for dementia, there are treatments and it can be managed, especially if identified earlier.
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2023-12-28T12:19:03Z dg43tfdfdgfd