What are the symptoms of dementia?

Dementia describes a persistent decline in thinking abilities that interferes with daily life. A person may repeat questions, lose track of conversations, misplace items, become unsure of dates or places, or struggle with planning and handling familiar activities. Language, concentration, visual-spatial skills and personality can also change. Some people develop urinary incontinence, but this symptom has many possible causes and does not by itself establish dementia.

Occasional forgetfulness is common and can be linked with poor sleep, stress, medicines, depression or another health problem. New or steadily worsening memory problems deserve a clinical review rather than self-diagnosis.

Arrange a GP consultation if changes persist, affect safety or make daily tasks harder. Write down examples, when they began and whether they are getting worse. Bring a list of medicines and, if the person agrees, ask someone who knows them well to describe changes. An assessment may include conversation, physical checks, memory tasks and tests for other explanations; a mental health assessment may be considered when mood or behaviour is part of the picture.

Seek urgent help for sudden confusion, new weakness, trouble speaking, a severe headache, collapse or a major change after a fall. Sudden confusion is different from the gradual pattern associated with dementia and can signal an acute illness. Arrange prompt review for wandering, unsafe driving, missed medicines, falls, or inability to eat, drink or manage personal care.

Ask which changes need assessment, what reversible causes should be checked, how to support independence and what safety plan fits the person’s home routine. Ask when to return if symptoms progress.