Early warning sign of dementia can be noticed while making Christmas dinner
Families are being urged to check on their loved ones this Christmas, as one early warning sign of dementia could make itself known while preparing the Christmas dinner.
Cooking the classic turkey roast dinner isn't always an easy task and there are lots of elements to keep track of, from monitoring how long the bird has been in the oven to making sure you've put the veggies on. It's easy for one thing to slip your mind, but health professionals have warned that forgetting simple tasks such as putting the oven on could actually be a sign of dementia, and shouldn't be ignored.
In a report published by NHS England in 2017, Professor Alistair Burns - who is the National Clinical Director for Dementia and Older People's Mental Health - put together a list of dementia symptoms to look out for as families get together to celebrate the festive period together. He said: "Something as simple as forgetting to put the oven on for the Christmas turkey may be a warning that a loved one is experiencing the early stages of dementia."
Professor Burns said "complex tasks such as cooking a big Christmas dinner for a large number of people" can make it easy for things to slip from memory for those with dementia, and you may also find that they do things such as forgetting to put the sprouts on or cooking items in the wrong order.
Other signs to look out for include forgetting the names of loved ones "to the extent that it causes embarrassment", as well as forgetting someone's present. Professor Burns added: "It might not be a very close relative but sometimes a niece or a nephew's present can be forgotten as it slips from memory."
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The health expert wrote his report after the Alzheimer's Society confirmed their support line receives an increase in calls in January, following on from the Christmas period. And Professor Burns urged people to "take a bit of extra time to consider" if someone they know needs help, as it can be dangerous to brush the warning signs off as nothing serious.
He said: "Dementia is something that happens slowly so it may slip by unnoticed in people we see regularly. That's why the Christmas visit to wider family and friends is an opportunity to spot the early warning signs. The NHS is here to help, but diagnosis is the first big step and this is where people who know someone best can really make a difference in spotting the signs of dementia.
"While it may be tempting to put forgetfulness down to one too many Christmas brandies, it could be a sign of something more serious so I would urge everyone to take a bit of extra time to consider if someone they know may need help. Remember, Christmas can be a time of real loneliness for many people, so if you have or know of a relative or neighbour who might be alone, make sure you pop in to see them, it will be greatly appreciated and can make a huge difference to their mental health."
For further information on dementia, visit the NHS' dementia guide. You can also find more information and support through Dementia UK, who can be contacted on their website or at 0800 888 6678.
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