BRITANNIA DAILY
.jpg)
BRitannia daily
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
'If you have noticed that someone has symptoms, please encourage them to visit their GP for an assessment the sooner someone is seen the quicker the NHS can help,' says top dementia doctor
NHS figures reveal that dementia diagnoses in England are at an all-time high. The latest data indicates that a record 487,432 people in England were diagnosed with the condition in June.
Despite the current diagnosis rate of 65 per cent being the highest since the pandemic began, the NHS still has work to do to reach its goal of diagnosing 66.7 per cent of the estimated total number of people living with some form of the disease. NHS staff nationwide are actively assessing care home residents to identify potential dementia cases, aiming to further increase the numbers for the benefit of patients and their families.
England boasts one of the world's highest dementia diagnosis rates, with most high-income countries typically ranging between 20-50 per cent. Early and accurate diagnosis of dementia is crucial, enabling more individuals to receive the necessary support and care to manage the illness.
England's leading dementia doctor praised staff's efforts to increase diagnoses - but acknowledged that there is still more work to be done. The NHS is urging individuals to seek medical advice if they notice any early signs or symptoms of dementia.
Dr Jeremy Isaacs, national clinical director for dementia at NHS England, stated: "Getting a diagnosis of dementia is the first step in supporting people, with a wide range of NHS services able to help. NHS staff have worked hard to recover services with the number of people with a diagnosis rising significantly over the last year, and now at a record level, but there is more work to be done.
"Thousands more individuals are being diagnosed each month and more medication reviews are being done within 12 months. Common early symptoms of dementia include forgetting bits of information, saying the same thing repeatedly, struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word and being confused about time and place.
"Usually, these problems will be more obvious to the person's family and friends than to the individual themselves. If you have noticed that someone has symptoms, please encourage them to visit their GP for an assessment the sooner someone is seen the quicker the NHS can help."
The latest figures show 86,434 people with a dementia diagnosis had their medication reviewed in the preceding 12 months. The figure for June 2023 was 77,112.
These are the 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia, as listed by the Alzheimer's Association. The association says: "Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer's or other dementia.
"Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms. If you notice any of them, don't ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor."
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What's a typical age-related change?
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
Some people living with changes in their memory due to Alzheimer's or other dementia may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What's a typical age-related change?
Making occasional errors when managing finances or household bills.
People living with memory changes from Alzheimer's or other dementia often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What's a typical age-related change?
Occasionally needing help to use microwave settings or to record a TV show.
People living with Alzheimer's or other dementia can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What's a typical age-related change?
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
Some people living with Alzheimer's or other dementia could experience vision changes. This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving.
What's a typical age-related change?
Vision changes related to cataracts.
People living with Alzheimer's or other dementia may have trouble following or joining a conversation. 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 (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
What's a typical age-related change?
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
A person living with Alzheimer's or other dementia may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. He or she may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.
What's a typical age-related change?
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
Individuals living with Alzheimer's or other dementia may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What's a typical age-related change?
Making a bad decision or mistake once in a while, like neglecting to change the oil in the car.
A person living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, they may withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity.
