60% dismiss signs of dementia as old age

SIX in 10 adults put early signs of dementia down to old age rather than the condition, a survey reveals.

- By Lucy Brimble

Misplacing items, needing help with everyday tasks, and problems with judgments and decisions featured among common symptoms people often mistake for ageing.

A poll of 500 people who have a relative or loved one with the condition revealed the common symptoms people often mistake for getting older, when they are in fact all signs of dementia.

Forgetting things they have just done or been told, and repeating the same question were also confused with growing old.

Some 41% of those polled admitted they first feared it could be the condition, but "brushed it under the carpet", and put it down to ageing.