SECRET SIGNS THAT COULD BE DEMENTIA

Knowing the difference between a senior moment’ and a cause for concern is key

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Find yourself forgetting why you’ve gone upstairs? Or maybe you spend 10 minutes looking for your glasses, only to realise they’re on your head. While memory lapses are normal, with the number of dementia diagnoses on the rise, it’s no wonder it’s a worry. Earlier this year, it was announced that Birds of a Feather actor Pauline Quirke was amongst the 982,000 people in the UK who are currently living with dementia – having been diagnosed in 2021 aged 61. If you are concerned about yourself – or a loved one – our experts reveal everything you need to know so you can seek medical advice as early

Taking a tumble

Declining eyesight is a normal part of ageing in fact, the average age for needing reading glasses is 40. Still having issues reading text, even with glasses on? It might be worth telling your GP, says Dr Beanland. "Some people with dementia have difficulty judging distances or seeing edges clearly, causing trips or falls.