WHEN it comes to dementia, there’s no denying it’s devastating for sufferers and their loved ones alike.
But while most of us know memory loss is a common sign of all forms, including Alzheimer’s, there are a number of symptoms that might show up in daily life, not least when you’re out shopping.
One symptom many people with the condition have in common is repetitive behaviour.
This usually occurs because the person living with dementia tends to have poor short-term memory for things that have happened recently.
This means they often feel like they’re doing whatever they need to do for the first time.
Dr Catherine Jenkins, an associate professor in dementia care at Birmingham City University, said examples of repetitive behaviour include things like buying something from the shops that you already have at home.
Someone might also make several shopping lists, forgetting about previous ones, or even get cash out several times.
She said: “It can be simple things like brushing their teeth or doing some dusting, or things like going to the shop and thinking, ‘Oh I need to get a tin of salmon’, then when they get home they find the cupboard is already full of tins of salmon.
“There are many examples, such as if they have a dog, they might feed the dog several times a day (helpfully prompted by the dog – family might notice the dog is putting on weight).”
Dr Jenkins said people living with dementia can often feel low in mood or a bit flat, and sometimes anxious.
This may see them phone a relative for a chat, having forgotten that they might only have called them half an hour ago.
She added: “They may need more reassurance and their conversation includes repeated queries, for example, checking what other people in the family are doing, where they are, and when they will next visit.”
Sometimes people continue doing the same thing, which Jenkins said isn’t exactly repetition, but instead “perseveration”.
For example, if they are knitting, they will carry on – a scarf might become extremely long.
Occasionally people with dementia get anxious about needing to use the toilet and make repeated visits.
Dr Jenkins said: “This can be a sign of a physical problem like a water infection, so the person should visit the GP.
“But it could be that they are concerned about having a potential ‘accident’ and so are going in advance of needing to go.”
Repetitive behaviour is a very common symptom of dementia, according to Angela Dowson, senior nurse at Marie Curie’s Welsh Palliative Dementia Service, but not exclusive of dementia and not a stand alone symptom.
She said: “There are many symptoms that we assess in dementia care, but there are many types of dementia.
“Dementia is a broad term for signs and symptoms of a declining ability in the functioning of the brain. These are traits to specific dementias.”
Angela said other signs to look out for are:
It’s usual that another person recognises a decline in a friend or relative’s abilities.
Angela said: “A GP visit to discuss changes is the first step to express behaviours and seek the process of a diagnosis and access relevant support.”
WHILE each person experiences dementia in their own individual way, there are some common early signs and symptoms to look out for.
Alzheimer’s Society says these symptoms can include:
As a person’s dementia progresses, they are likely to experience additional symptoms:
