Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are now the leading cause of death in England and Wales.
Of 529,655 deaths registered in England and Wales in 2015, 11.6% were attributable to dementia or Alzheimer’s, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Alzheimer’s - a progressive disease which affects brain function over time, leaving sufferers confused and disorientated - is associated with ageing and is estimated to affect one in 14 people over the age of 65 and one in every six people over the age of 80.
Here are 10 warning signs of the disease.
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
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2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
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3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
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4. Confusion with time or place
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5. Trouble understanding visual images and spacial relationships
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6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
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7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
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8. Decreased or poor judgment
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9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
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10. Changes in mood and personality
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