If you or a loved one is suffering from dementia, an early diagnosis can have a huge impact on how the condition is managed. 

Often beginning with smaller more unnoticeable symptoms, it's important to be able to spot the signs once they appear.

Although there is currently no cure for dementia or Alzheimer's, researchers believe that living a healthier lifestyle can lower your risk of developing it in later life. 

READ MORE: Top tips to live a healthier lifestyle: https://acoup.co.uk/article/7/Tips%20for%20a%20healthy%20lifestyle 

Medics also recommend eating well, avoiding smoking, and cutting back on alcohol as factors that could improve your cognitive health. 

More commonly affecting people as they become elderly, here are some of the main signs to look out for if you think you or a loved one might be developing the condition. 

1. Day-to-day memory loss 

People with dementia can struggle to retain information they have recently learnt, so you may notice them forgetting names, appointments, and other small pieces of information that are usually easy to recall. 

2. Changes in personality 

Sadly, dementia can cause changes to an individual's personality, character and emotions, so you may notice them becoming more withdrawn. They may appear quieter and 'not quite themselves'. 

3. Misplacing things

This is a very common symptom of dementia, and will see the individual lose things they have recently handled, for example their house or car keys, phone, television remote etc. 

4. Odd judgement 

If someone has dementia, they may begin to make poor decisions in their daily routine. For example, leaving the house in cold weather with no warm clothing, making strange food combinations for their meals and other unusual choices. 

5. Changes in mood and behaviour

Sadly, it is common for a person suffering with dementia to become more easily agitated, frustrated and aggressive as their condition worsens. They may also suffer from intense mood swings that occur in a short space of time. 

6. Disorientation to time & place 

Although not always a symptom of dementia, those who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's will often experience disorientation. 

Forgetting why they have gone somewhere, what time of the day it is, or how to get home, are all indicators that something is not right. 

7. Problem with language 

The person may begin to show signs that they are struggling with language, and sometimes cannot articulate and express themselves properly, or find the right words when using a sentence. 

8. Problems understanding numbers

Similar to having issues with words, another sign of dementia can be having difficulty using numbers and completing simple tasks with them. 

As the effects of Alzheimer's take hold a person will forget what numbers are and how they work, so tasks like using a calculator may become difficult. 

9. Loss of initiative

An indicator can be if a person needs prompted or asked to do certain things that they would have had the initiative to do themselves previously. They may also become more passive and disinterested in daily life and be less engaged in conversations. 

10. Struggling with familiar tasks 

Sometimes we can all forget basic things if we are busy, stressed or tired. However, a person with dementia may often struggle to complete tasks that are usually second nature to them, for example making a cup of tea or cooking a meal. 

If you believe that either you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should contact your GP as soon as possible. 

At ACOUP, we provide quality domiciliary care to properly look after those suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia, and ensure they are kept in their own environment for as long as possible. 

Avoiding full-time residential nursing homes, at home care allows the individual to be monitored and looked after while remaining in familiar surroundings, which can have a huge impact on their memory and retention. 

If you are searching for at home care for a loved one, you can find a full list of their services on our website: https://acoup.co.uk/ 

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- The benefits of home health care: https://acoup.co.uk/article/5/The%20Benefits%20of%20Home%20Health%20Care