The initial signs ofdementia can frequently be ignored or misdiagnosed as other conditions, a worrying reality considering it's estimated that around one million Brits are currently battling the disease. This number is expected to surge to 1.4 million within the next two decades.

Whilst there is presently no known cure for dementia, understanding the illness and receiving an accurate diagnosis can significantly enhance a patient's quality of life. A correct diagnosis also paves the way for a variety of support options and access to a care plan that offers comprehensive information about the condition, strategies for managing it, and potential access to a care home if required.

However, the first step towards securing an accurate dementia diagnosis involves identifying the signs of the disease and reporting them to your GP or another qualified healthcare professional. Regrettably, the early signs of dementia are often overlooked and could be mistakenly attributed to conditions such as fatigue.

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The only surefire way to determine whether you or someone you know has dementia is to consult a GP and inform them of the symptoms you're experiencing.

According to NHS guidance, dementia can affect everyone differently. Symptoms may appear at different times and in different ways.

Despite this, there are a number of common symptoms that people should be vigilant for. This includes:

• Being confused about time and place


• Finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping


• Difficulty concentrating


• Mood changes


• Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word


• Memory loss

These signs are often linked with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which may not be severe enough to warrant a formal dementia diagnosis. However, for some individuals, these symptoms may persist or even worsen, leading MCI to progress into dementia.

It's crucial to realise that dementia is not a natural part of ageing but is recognised as a health condition. Therefore, if you're concerned about memory problems or any of the aforementioned symptoms, it's advised to seek advice from your GP.

Dementia itself is not technically a disease, and the range of symptoms can vary depending on the specific brain disease present. For instance, Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia each exhibit slightly different symptoms.

Comprehensive information about the various symptoms linked to different types of dementia can be found on the NHS website here.