As many of us prepare to spend Christmas Day with friends and family, the NHS has highlighted the importance of looking out for the early stages of dementia.
The reminder comes alongside new NHS data showing that more people than ever have been diagnosed with the condition in England.
According to the health service’s November figures, 499,068 people in England have received a dementia diagnosis – a jump of 19,416 in a year.
The figure is expected to climb to more than half a million diagnoses by the end of 2024.
The NHS is urging individuals to seek medical advice if they notice possible signs of dementia in their loved ones during the Christmas period, and a reminder that there is ‘life-changing’ support available.
What is dementia?
It’s normal for your memory to be affected by factors such as stress and tiredness, but becoming more forgetful than usual could be a sign of dementia.
Dementia is not considered to be a disease but a series of symptoms resulting from damage to the brain that typically lead to memory loss.
Dementia is not just about memory loss though. It can affect how a person behaves, thinks and feels.
It’s also not simply a natural part of ageing.
There are different diseases that cause dementia: Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form), vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia and advanced dementia are all types of dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused by an abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain. There is no cure.
What are the early symptoms of dementia?
Dr Jeremy Isaacs, NHS England’s national clinical director for dementia, said: ‘Dementia often develops slowly and might not be apparent during a brief interaction, but with family and friends gathering at Christmas perhaps for the first time in months, there is an opportunity to spot the signs of this condition.
‘There are lots of reasons why people might be forgetful or absent-minded at such a busy time of the year, but it could also be a sign that something is wrong.’
According to the NHS, there are some common early symptoms that may appear some time before a diagnosis of dementia.
These include:
- 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
Dr Jeremy Isaacs added: ‘Issues that may not have been obvious previously such as forgetfulness, difficulty making plans or word-finding problems can come to the surface or be easier to spot when families or friends across the country get together over the festive season.’
How many people in the UK have dementia?
Jennifer Keen, head of policy at Alzheimer’s Society said: ‘Around one million people are living with dementia in the UK.
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‘A third of people living with dementia in England don’t have a diagnosis. Getting a diagnosis can be daunting but we believe it’s better to know.
‘An early and accurate diagnosis can open the door to vital care, support and treatment. It can also help people to manage their symptoms and avoid ending up in crisis.
Dementia was the leading cause of death in the UK in 2023 – with 75,393 people dying last year, compared with 74,261 in 2022 and 69,178 in 2021, according to Alzheimer’s Society research.
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Care minister Stephen Kinnock added: ‘Dementia is a cruel disease which has a terrible impact on so many families, including my own. A timely diagnosis is vital to ensure a person impacted can access the advice, care and support to live well and remain independent for as long as possible.’
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