Getting an early dementia diagnosis – including that of Alzheimer’s disease – is hugely important in order to put the care and support in place that the patient and loved ones need. An expert has identified six behavioural changes which could be signs of dementia and manifest at parties or family gatherings this festive period. Dr Byron Creese, a senior lecturer in psychology at Brunel University, has conducted extensive research into dementia, an example of which is Alzheimer’s disease, and the full range of symptoms. He said: It is important to look out for behavioural changes, such as agitation, aggression, mood changes, anxiety, social withdrawal and changes in behaviour that were not there before.
These behavioural symptoms can emerge as new symptoms in older adults who are cognitively normal, and there is emerging evidence that they might be the first sign of an underlying disease like Alzheimer’s in some people. He continued: We know that early diagnosis of dementia is really important to help people get the right support. To do that, we need to use every tool at our disposal. Blood tests will likely be important in the future, but we also need to understand the full spectrum of symptoms that might give us clues as to who is most at risk.
Dr Creese told Express.co.uk that changes in behaviour and personality could be big signs of dementia, not just memory problems. He explained: When these kinds of symptoms occur alongside memory and thinking problems, they seem to signal the greatest risk of dementia compared with memory and thinking complaints alone.
The Alzheimer’s Society warns that these symptoms will get worse as dementia gets more severe. They say: As dementia progresses, you may see more changes in the person’s behaviour and find this difficult to manage. Looking at their causes and identifying the person’s needs can help.
But they also note: When a person with dementia starts to behave in ways that seem out of character, some people may assume this is a symptom of the condition itself, which isn’t always the case. It’s important to see beyond the behaviour and think about what may be causing it.
This is because other issues like forgetting things and trouble with words can make them upset and mixed up. Dementia can affect a person’s personality and habits, which may lead to changes in behaviour, the charity explains.
For example, they may no longer be able to do things they enjoy or follow their interests without help, or they may experience symptoms of depression. Knowing the person how they react to and deal with things, their preferences, routines and history can help when it comes to supporting them.
Dementia is a condition where problems with memory, behaviour, vision, and movement are caused by gradual brain decline. We know that nearly one million people in the UK live with Alzheimer’s disease.
If you’re anxious about a loved one or want more information on dementia, the NHS has plenty of resources. The NHS guide to dementia is just a click away. The Alzheimer’s Society also offers supporting services.
