The NHS has urged people to look out for symptoms of dementia as new data shows more people than ever before have been diagnosed with the condition in England.
November figures from the health service revealed 499,068 people have received a dementia diagnosis – a jump of 19,416 in a year.
As care minister Stephen Kinnock said a timely diagnosis is “vital” in making sure patients can access support as early as possible, the NHS urged people to look out for signs of dementia in their loved ones when they gather over the festive season.
Dr Jeremy Isaacs, NHS England national clinical director for dementia, said: “Dementia often develops slowly and might not be apparent during a brief interaction, but with family and friends gathering at Christmas perhaps for the first time in months, there is an opportunity to spot the signs of this condition.
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“Thanks to patients and families coming forward, and the hard work of NHS staff, we have a record almost half a million people diagnosed with dementia, most of whom are living in their own homes with support from family and friends.”
Dementia was the leading cause of death in the UK in 2023 – with 75,393 people dying from the disease last year, compared with 74,261 in the previous 12 months and 69,178 in 2021, according to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Jennifer Keen, head of policy at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Christmas should be a happy time when families often get together. But sadly, for some people it will be the first time they notice changes in their loved ones showing signs of dementia.
“A third of people living with dementia in England don’t have a diagnosis. Getting a diagnosis can be daunting but we believe it’s better to know. An early and accurate diagnosis can open the door to vital care, support and treatment.”
Why are dementia diagnoses going up?
The increase in dementia diagnoses is often attributed to various reasons, including population growth and the aging population.
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The risk of developing dementia increases significantly with age, roughly doubling every five years, which means as people live longer, the number with dementia increases.
While the new figures show a worrying jump in cases, they could be the tip of the iceberg, with a study last year finding that dementia cases could be 42% higher than previously estimated by 2040.
The UCL-study predicted that up to 1.7m people could be living with dementia in England and Wales by 2040, due to an estimated upward trend in incidents.
According to previous research, the number of people living with dementia was previously predicted to increase by 57% from 0.77m in 2016 to 1.2m in 2040. However, the UCL research suggested that figure could be as high as 1.7m.
What are the symptoms of dementia?
Common symptoms of dementia include forgetfulness, irritability, struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word and being confused about time and place.
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The NHS website advises that different types of dementia can affect people differently, but there are some common early symptoms that may appear some time before a diagnosis. These include:
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memory loss
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difficulty concentrating
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finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping
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struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
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being confused about time and place
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mood changes
It says the symptoms, often termed ‘mild cognitive impairment’ (MCI), are often mild and may get worse gradually but are not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia. In some people, they may remain the same and not worsen, but some people with MCI will go on to develop dementia.
“Dementia is not a natural part of ageing,” the NHS advises. “This is why it’s important to talk to a GP sooner rather than later if you’re worried about memory problems or other symptoms.”
What to do if you think someone has dementia?
“If possible, someone who knows you well should be with you at your GP appointment,” the NHS advises, “so they can describe any changes or problems they’ve noticed. They could also help you remember what was said at the appointment, if this is difficult for you.”
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To rule out other causes of memory problems, a GP will also carry out a physical examination and may organise tests, such as a blood test and urine test, as well as a memory or cognitive test.
If a GP cannot rule out other causes for symptoms, they may refer the patient to a healthcare professional who specialises in diagnosing dementia. The specialist may organise more tests like a CT scan or MRI scan and may do more detailed memory tests.
If dementia is diagnosed, a doctor will explain what having the condition means, as well as discussing the symptoms and how the condition might develop and possible treatments. They will also provide the name of a health or social care professional who will co-ordinate support and information on care and support services in the area.
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