A survey found that only 15 per cent of people take immediate action upon detecting potential dementia signs
Fiona Callingham Lifestyle writer
01:00, 13 Dec 2025
Some symptoms of dementia could be mistaken for signs of getting older(Image: Getty)
Medical professionals have warned that certain common indicators of dementia might be confused with typical age-related changes. Should you notice any of these warning signs, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider.
Dementia involves a gradual deterioration in mental abilities, resulting in difficulties including memory impairment, personality alterations, and movement challenges. Identifying the initial warning signals of dementia is critical for ensuring individuals receive appropriate treatment and assistance.
Nevertheless, separating these indicators from natural ageing processes can prove difficult. A study by the Alzheimer’s Society revealed a worrying pattern.
Just one-third of people report dementia symptoms within the initial month of spotting them, either in themselves or family members. The research, which collected information from 1,100 respondents, indicates that doubt over whether the noticed signs stem from dementia or ordinary age-related deterioration causes many to stay quiet.
“One in three people (33 per cent) who notice symptoms of dementia in themselves or a loved one keep their fears to themselves for over a month,” the organisation stated. Additionally, the investigation found that just 15 per cent of people act straight away when spotting possible dementia indicators, whilst 11 per cent admitted they hadn’t shared their concerns whatsoever, despite recognising early warning signs.
This reluctance to express concerns can lead to postponed medical care, with 23 per cent delaying consultation with a healthcare professional for over six months. Initial signs of dementia, such as struggling to keep up with discussions, problems with focus, and lapses in memory, are frequently brushed off as typical aspects of getting older, possibly blamed on deteriorating hearing or simple absent-mindedness.
Yet, this presumption might be masking a far more serious condition – recent research revealed that 16 per cent of those surveyed confessed they are deliberately “avoiding” pursuing a diagnosis due to fears about the impact on their personal relationships. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that 44 per cent are anxious about being patronised by carers or relatives, who may start to “talk down” to them.
Bearing this in mind, seven potential early warning signs of dementia comprise:
Difficulty following a conversationDifficulty concentratingMemory lossHearing lossForgetfulnessMood swingsDifficulty moving
Kate Lee, the CEO of Alzheimer’s Society, urged people to confront the matter directly. She said: “We can’t continue to avoid the ‘d’ word – we need to face dementia head on.”
She advised that anyone recognising possible warning indicators should utilise their checklist and have a word with their GP. She said: “As soon as you realise something is not right, come to Alzheimer’s Society – you can use our symptoms checklist to help have that all-important first chat with your GP.”
The charity has emphasised that symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia could include:
Poor judgment and decision-makingInability to manage a budgetLosing track of the date or the seasonDifficulty participating in conversationMisplacing items and being unable to retrace steps to find them
On the other hand, some common age-related changes might include:
Occasionally making a poor decisionForgetting a monthly payment now and thenTemporarily forgetting the day but remembering it laterSometimes struggling to find the appropriate wordMisplacing items occasionally
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