29 December 2023 , 15:00
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Over the Christmas period many of us will spend time with loved ones and friends we might not see as often, and you might spot certain behaviours you didn't notice before.
Dementia is a progressive disease that impacts memory, language and problem-solving abilities, which means signs and symptoms might be relatively mild at first, and worsen oven time. And when it comes to picking up on signs of dementia, family is key - and Christmas is a common time to pick up on some of the symptoms.
Although there isn't currently a "cure" for dementia, there are medicines and other treatments that can help, which is why it's important to be aware of any early symptoms. Last year, an NHS expert urged people to be aware of the signs of dementia during Christmas.
Some of the key signs you might pick up on during the festive period, is forgetting the names of relatives, or forgetting to put the oven on for the Christmas turkey, as well as confusion about being in a different environment to normal.
Professor Alistair Burns, NHS England's national clinical director for dementia, urged those who have "noticed over the festive period that someone has symptoms" to "please encourage them to visit their GP for an assessment". He added: "The sooner someone is seen the quicker the NHS can support them."
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The NHS shared some of the signs that might present themselves during the festive season:
- Confusion in a new environment - for example being at a relative's house where the layout is unusual
- Not recalling certain things - for example the names of loved ones or forgetting a present to the extent that they become embarrassed
- Struggling with complex tasks such as cooking a big Christmas dinner - for example forgetting to put the oven on, forgetting to put the sprouts on or cooking things in the wrong order
Different types of dementia can affect people differently, so it can be hard to detect. But according to the NHS, the main symptoms are memory loss, difficulty concentrating, finding it hard to carry out everyday tasks, struggling to follow a conversation, mood changes and being confused about the right time and place.
If you notice these symptoms in a family member, you should encourage them to see a GP to talk about it. It's important to talk to a GP sooner rather than later if you're worried about dementia symptoms.