DEMENTIA

As people get older, they tend to find that memory loss starts to become a problem.  It’s normal for memory loss to be affected by a number of factors including; age, stress, tiredness or certain illnesses and medication.  This can be frustrating if it happens occasionally, but if its starts affecting your daily life or is giving you or someone you know cause for concern, then you should seek help from your GP.

Currently in the UK there are around 800,000 people living with dementia and as people are living longer it is anticipated that the number of cases will significantly rise over the next decade.

 

What is dementia?

Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of the brain and its functions. Besides memory loss, other notable symptoms could include:

• increasingly difficulty with tasks and activities that require concentration and planning
• depression
• changes in personality and mood
• periods of mental confusion
• difficulty in finding the right words

Dementia cannot be cured, but if its detected early enough there are ways you can slow its progress down to help maintain mental function.

 

Why is it important to get a diagnosis?

An early diagnosis can help people with dementia get the right level of treatment, care and support, enabling them to lead full and active lives.  It also assists people close to them to plan and prepare for the future.

If you have any concerns regarding memory loss or dementia, then please contact the surgery to make an appointment with one of our GP’s or Practice Nurses.

For more information, you can also visit the Alzheimer’s Society website.