In the UK, there are 800,000 people with dementia and an estimated 400,000 people who have dementia but do not know it.
This Dementia Action Week, from 16 to 22 May, the Alzheimer’s Society, has set the theme for 2022 as ‘diagnosis’. By raising awareness about this condition, it is hoped that more people will be diagnosed earlier, giving more time for them to come to terms with future symptoms.
Diagnosis rates for dementia have fallen to an all-time low and the Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging those experiencing common dementia symptoms to seek guidance.
Symptoms can include:
- Memory loss
- Personality changes
- Changes in behaviour
- Communication challenges
Research by the Society indicates that the biggest barrier to those seeking a diagnosis is the misconception that memory loss is a normal sign of ageing. Instead, it is a disease of the brain which can also affect younger people. In the UK, over 17,000 people under the age of 65 have this condition. It is not uncommon for people in their 50’s to have dementia.
This year’s Dementia Action Week aims to help those who might be living with undiagnosed dementia to understand potential symptoms, to come forward for guidance and support, and to feel empowered to take the next steps towards diagnosis, helping to improve the diagnostic process in the future.