Someone develops dementia every three minutes in the UK. Research shows there are more than 944,000 people in the UK who have dementia. 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK. It can affect affect a person at any age but is more common in people over the age of 65. Many people with dementia feel cut off from their community, lose friendships, and face the condition alone. Dementia Awareness Week is all about supporting people with dementia and creating a dementia-friendly place.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain that can affect a persons memory, problem-solving, language, and personality or behaviour, interfering with a persons daily life. Dementia is progressive; its symptoms are relatively mild but worsen gradually. Although dementia can affect people differently, each type of dementia has several common early symptoms - these may include problems with:
Memory loss
Thinking speed
Mental sharpness and quickness
Language, such as using words incorrectly, or trouble speaking
Understanding
Judgement
Mood
Movement
Difficulties doing daily activities
Although there is no cure for dementia at the moment, an early diagnosis means its progress can be slowed down in some cases, so the person is able to maintain their mental function for longer. A diagnosis can help people with dementia get the right treatment and support, whilst offering them and those close to them, the help and advice they need.
If you find yourself becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you're over the age of 65, it's a good idea to talk to a GP about the early signs of dementia. Your GP, social worker or dementia specialist should be able to provide information about advice and support services in your area, including NHS services, social services, charities and voluntary organisations.
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