Recognising the early warning signs of dementia is vital, as early detection enables families and healthcare professionals to implement preventative measures that can delay the most severe symptoms and help people to maintain a better quality of life.

The UK's Alzheimer's society said: "There is currently no cure for dementia, but recognising the early signs and symptoms is still very important. With clinical trials now showing positive results, an early and accurate diagnosis will be important to find those that are eligible for disease modifying treatments when they are available.

"It's important to also remember there are lots of ways we can support people to live well with dementia, even in the absence of drugs to slow the progression."

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According to The New York Times, there are five symptoms people frequently experience during the early stages that can easily be missed. Memory loss is one of the most widely recognised symptoms linked to dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease.

While this remains a significant indicator that something may be amiss, it's far from the only warning sign to monitor, reports Surrey Live. In fact, other equally critical indicators of dementia are frequently overlooked and can prove vital in securing an early diagnosis.

While many of these symptoms could be chalked up to isolated incidents or other causes, it's crucial not to dismiss them. If they persist over time or if you're experiencing several at once, it's vital to seek a professional health evaluation.

Five signs of potential dementia that shouldn't be ignored

1. Changes in personality

A study led by Angelina Sutin, a behavioural sciences professor at Florida State University, discovered that individuals with dementia often exhibit personality changes before any cognitive decline becomes apparent. Decreases in extroversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness were noted, with these changes accelerating as the disease progresses.

These shifts can be spotted in day-to-day behaviour. For instance, diminished extroversion might show up as social withdrawal or a dwindling social circle. According to Sutin, these signs are easier to spot than memory loss.

2. Struggling with driving

Struggling behind the wheel can be one of the earliest indicators of cognitive decline, potentially cropping up years before other symptoms, says Ganesh Babulal, a neurology professor at Washington University in St. Louis.

Driving involves multiple cognitive systems, and any impairment can heighten the risk of accidents. While age-related physical issues, such as deteriorating vision or side effects from medication, can also contribute, it's important to stay alert to these changes.

3. Loss of smell

A diminished sense of smell is often one of the initial indicators of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease. The olfactory system, which governs our sense of smell, can be compromised years or even decades before other symptoms make their presence known.

Unlike hearing or vision loss, which are risk factors for dementia but not directly caused by it, a loss of smell is an early sign of these diseases. Each condition impacts the sense of smell in unique ways: in Alzheimer's, smells are detected but misinterpreted, while in Parkinson's and dementia with Lewy bodies, they are not perceived at all, which could be crucial for early detection.

4. Sleep problems

Another symptom to watch out for is difficulty sleeping well. Sleep disturbances are common in older age, but drastic changes, such as waking up at 3 am or struggling to stay awake during the day, could be signs of dementia.

Areas of the brain that regulate sleep, like the brainstem, are among the first to be affected in Alzheimer's, causing disruptions years before memory issues arise. In dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's, a REM sleep behaviour disorder may develop, where the individual acts out their dreams through movements or screams, due to damage to the brain cells that control paralysis during this phase.

This isn't simply sleepwalking, according to neurologist Ronald Postuma. Patients often seek help after being alerted by a partner to violent or unusual behaviour during their sleep. These patterns could be early warning signs of neurodegenerative diseases.

5. Financial difficulties

Financial troubles are a common occurrence and can stem from many causes. However, when they coincide with other cognitive or behavioural changes, they could be an early indication of dementia.

It's not that these financial issues directly cause the disease, but their sudden or unusual onset, such as forgetting to pay bills, making impulsive purchases, or placing trust in unreliable individuals, may signal disruptions in judgement and brain function. This is particularly true in cases like frontotemporal dementia, where judgement is compromised early on.

Neurologist Winston Chiong explains that managing finances involves multiple areas of the brain, making it one of the first domains where cognitive problems become apparent.