Many ignoring warning signs of dementia says charity

Despite cases of dementia having risen dramatically in recent decades many sufferers and their families are ignoring early warning signs, says The Alzheimer’s Society.

Marking Dementia Action Week 2023, the charity said a recent survey found just 15% of those with worries over symptoms brought the issue up immediately and 11% still haven’t consulted with medics despite concerns.

They added that the delay is having a knock-on effect on how soon people can get the help they need as a further 23% waited over six months before they had their first meeting with a medical professional.

The charity added that confusing dementia symptoms with normal ageing was the main reason people refused to look for advice (64%), whilst not wishing to worry their loved one (33%), and concerns of how their relationships might be affected (16%) were also notable reasons.

The survey of more than 1,100 people, showed there is still a fear of stigma with 44% saying they were scared they would be treated like they were a child.

The charity said their ongoing campaign: “It’s not called getting old, it’s called getting ill,” is playing a vital part around the issue, encouraging people who are worried about themselves, or the memory of someone close to them, to get a diagnosis, using a “symptoms checklist”, which is available through the charity’s online hub.

Whilst there are medical treatments that can slow down some forms of dementia, which is an umbrella term for a host of memory loss conditions, it is also worth highlighting the importance lasting power of attorney, which is a legal document to help dementia sufferers’ families make decisions and deal with the affairs of their relative where mental incapacity is an issue.

This document is vital and saves many families great stress, where they can take a measured approach over financial and medical help for those suffering.

We at Dale and Newbery are extremely experienced in this area, so please feel free to get in touch with us to see how we might help if you have such concerns.

Please remember though that a Lasting power of Attorney can only be made when the person still has the necessary capacity to sign such a document, so it is a sensible document to make, along with a will.

With a population living longer than a generation or two ago issues such as dementia will not go away and it is vital that we all do what we can to make the lives of our loved ones as bearable as possible with the issues that come with old age.

If you have any issues relating to this or other matters, please contact our legal experts in Staines to see if we can help.