Becoming more forgetful is a normal sign of ageing.

But, with the increasing prevalence of dementia, many people have concerns that a lapse in memory is more serious than just getting older.

So, what’s the difference between age-related memory loss and dementia?

Age-related memory loss

With age, we might forget things like names of acquaintances, what we had for lunch, or the occasional birthday or appointment. It’s also normal to misplace items like our keys or glasses, be unable to find the right word to use in conversation, struggle with new technology, or need longer to think things through.

Memory problems can worsen when you’re unwell, feeling stressed, are low in vitamin B12, or going through the menopause. It can also be impacted by lack of sleep, consuming too much alcohol, or taking some medications.

Dementia

Dementia, on the other hand, damages the brain, gets progressively worse and starts to impact your daily life.

There are different types of dementia, including:

• Alzheimer’s Disease – the most common type, accounting for two-thirds of diagnoses. Caused by a build-up of two substances in the brain that form plaques and tangles, making it harder for the brain to work.
• Vascular Dementia – the second most common type. Caused by problems with blood supply to parts of the brain, which damages and kills brain cells.
• Lewy Bodies – related to Parkinson’s. Tiny clumps of protein develop inside brain cells, particularly in areas responsible for thought, movement, visual perception and alertness.
• Frontotemporal Dementia – mainly affects younger people aged 45-65 and more likely to run in families. Caused by abnormal clumping of proteins in the lobes at the front and sides of the brain.
• Mixed Dementia – usually a combination of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. Much more common in older age groups (over 75s).

Rarer forms of dementia can be caused by genetic disorders such as Huntington’s Disease, or lifestyle factors such as alcohol related brain damage.

Symptoms of dementia

Symptoms of dementia vary depending on the type of dementia a person has and what part of the brain is affected. There are also three stages: early, middle and advanced. Symptoms will become more obvious as the condition progresses. But here are some general things to look out for.

Memory

People with dementia might forget something they’ve recently been told or be unable to learn new tasks. They might struggle with names, get lost in familiar places, or put objects in unusual places, such as their glasses in the fridge.

Speech and language

Communication issues could be frequently struggling to find the right words, calling objects ‘that thing’, or problems with reading and writing. They may be unable to follow what someone is saying, find it hard to join a conversation, or repeat themselves often.

Planning and problem solving

People with dementia may struggle to make informed or careful decisions, particularly with money. They may find it hard to manage payments, budgets and bills. They can also get very confused when thinking a decision through and struggle to stay focused in a single task.

Vision, perception and orientation

Some people have problems making sense of what they see; they might misjudge distances, mistake reflections for objects, or hallucinate. Other people might lose track of date, seasons or the passage of time.

Mood and behaviour

People with dementia may become withdrawn and lose interest in friendships and hobbies. They may be unusually sad, anxious, frightened and get easily upset when in familiar places. Some people with dementia become angry and lose empathy for others.

Risk factors of dementia

Around 944,000 people are living with dementia in the UK, estimated to increase to one million by 2030 and 1.4m by 2040.

The likelihood of developing dementia increases with age. It’s usually found in people over 65 and risk doubles every five years. Women are more likely to get dementia, mainly because they live longer than men.

It can be genetic or caused by long-term health conditions. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking and drinking, can increase your likelihood of developing dementia. It can also be the result of reduced cognitive reserve, i.e., how long your brain has been kept active through education, socialising and work.

Ways to reduce your risk of dementia include:

• More exercise – regular aerobic and strength training can reduce the risk by up to 20 percent
• Less alcohol – Excess alcohol reduces the brain’s white matter which affects function
• Don’t smoke – it narrows blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the brain
• Stay mentally well – depression can increase the risk of dementia
• Manage long-term conditions – including cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and obesity
• Keep a check on your eyesight and hearing – uncorrected vision and hearing loss can increase the risk
• Protect your head – traumatic brain injuries can start the process in the brain where substances causing Alzheimer’s build up
• Try brain training – crosswords, puzzles, and learning a new skill or language can all help keep you mentally agile

If you think a loved one’s memory problems could be the early signs of dementia, encourage them to visit their GP. While there is no cure for dementia, early diagnosis means progression can be slowed down in some cases through the right treatment and support.