Dementia is a life-changing diagnosis that can be daunting and anxiety-inducing, not only for the individual experiencing symptoms but also their loved ones. While symptoms can be frightening, some people believe that learning the truth behind them can be even worse.
However, undiagnosed dementia can be potentially dangerous for a number of reasons. Today, we’ll explore the reasons why undiagnosed dementia can pose a threat to the safety and independence of individuals experiencing symptoms.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of symptoms that affect memory and cognitive abilities. Symptoms of dementia are progressive and there is currently no cure, so individuals diagnosed with a type of dementia will experience worsening symptoms over time. They may begin as mild, but become increasingly apparent as time passes.
Alzheimer’s Research UK states that around 40% of people aged 65 and over are thought to be living with undiagnosed dementia. As symptoms progress through early, middle, and advanced stages, they’ll begin to affect quality of life, behaviour, and emotions.
How Is Dementia Diagnosed?
Dementia can be difficult to diagnose, especially if symptoms are still in their early stages or your loved one has a rarer type of dementia. If you believe your loved one is exhibiting symptoms of dementia, however mild, you should consult their GP. They will refer your relative to a specialist practitioner for a more comprehensive assessment.
The assessment is often a collection of screening tests, including physical examinations, to rule out other health conditions. They’ll also consult your loved one’s medical records, test their mental capability, take blood tests and perform a range of brain scans.
The Importance of Diagnosing Dementia: Why It Matters
It’s not uncommon for people experiencing mild memory loss and cognitive dysfunction to put off getting an official diagnosis. This may be due to fear, anxiety or confusion. Your loved one might be nervous about the unknown, worried about what a dementia diagnosis means for their future.
However, there are a number of reasons why diagnosing dementia is important. These include:
Boost Your Loved One’s Safety
Living with undiagnosed dementia can be dangerous when participating in daily routines and activities without accounting for emerging symptoms. A Johns Hopkins study suggests that, compared to those with an official diagnosis, people living with undiagnosed dementia are twice as likely to do potentially dangerous activities, including driving, managing finances and administering medication.
The study found:
- 28% of people with undiagnosed dementia still regularly drove cars, compared to 17% of people driving with a formal diagnosis.
- 29% of people with undiagnosed dementia managed their finances independently, compared to 12% of those with diagnosed dementia.
- 50% of people with undiagnosed dementia were responsible for managing their own medication, compared to 22% of those with a formal diagnosis.
While these activities might not seem too dangerous, they require a high level of cognition that people living with dementia symptoms may not always possess. They’re more likely to make mistakes that could prove dangerous, especially with medication management and driving.
Once a formal diagnosis is given, friends and family members often make a greater effort to help with potentially hazardous activities. Not only will this help individuals with daily tasks, but it helps improve the safety of everyone.
You and Your Loved One Will Receive Definitive Answers
While it might not be the news you and your loved ones were hoping to receive, learning of a dementia diagnosis may give you a sense of relief after getting answers. The person experiencing symptoms might even be happy that they understand why they’ve been feeling or experiencing certain symptoms.
Ensures They Get the Right Treatment
While there are over 200 types of dementia and there currently isn’t a cure, several treatments have been developed to help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Getting a formal dementia diagnosis ensures your loved one gets the correct treatment for their symptoms quickly, preventing them from progressing and becoming increasingly debilitating.
For example, vascular dementia often causes loss of bladder control in its early stages. With a diagnosis, treatment can be provided to reduce this side effect before it negatively affects self-esteem and confidence.
It’s possible for individuals to be diagnosed with mixed dementia, which is where they exhibit symptoms from more than one type of the condition. In this case, it’s all the more important to receive a timely diagnosis so that treatment can begin and symptoms can be managed. The correct treatment ensures independence for a longer period.
Helps You Plan For the Future
A clinical diagnosis can provide you and your loved one with long-awaited answers to their symptoms, helping to clear the future and allowing you to make plans. Dementia progresses at different rates for everyone, so you may have weeks, months, or years to put plans in place. However, the sooner you can start exploring professional care avenues, treatments and complementary therapies, the better.
Redefining Early Dementia Diagnosis as an Opportunity
A formal dementia diagnosis doesn’t have to be a bad thing. While feelings of sadness, anger and grief are valid, encourage your loved one to also see it as an opportunity to seek support and guidance. Catching symptoms early gives you more time to better prepare for the future, strengthen your support system, and boost quality of life.
When diagnosed with dementia, you and your loved one can:
- Seek support from local resources: Dementia cafes, local support groups and your loved one’s healthcare team are excellent sources of support and knowledge of progressive symptoms.
- Ask to be referred for counselling: Your loved one can be referred to mental health services or counselling via the NHS, which may help with the emotional impact a diagnosis can have.
- Adapt the home to make it more dementia-friendly: There are several ways you can create a dementia-friendly home, and an occupational therapist can identify changes to encourage long-lasting independence.
- Prepare your wishes for the future: Your loved one can get their affairs in order when diagnosed early, such as how they want to be cared for and who they want to manage their money, before cognitive abilities become too impaired.
- Apply for funding: There are several ways your local council can support you through funding, especially if you’re struggling with the cost of a professional care service.
How Trinity Homecare Can Help
At Trinity Homecare, we understand that dementia symptoms can be daunting and worrisome, especially if your loved one is reluctant to get diagnosed. Our fully trained and experienced carers practice compassion with all our clients, ensuring they feel listened to, understood, and validated.
The dementia care we provide includes:
- One-to-one support at home
- Completely bespoke live-in care that has been tailored to you
- Specialist care for a number of different circumstances
- Home carers carefully matched to your needs
- CQC rated ‘Outstanding’ live-in care services
Whether your loved one requires extra support to book an appointment with their GP, a companion to confide in or extra assistance with everyday tasks, Trinity Homecare is on hand to help. Our care provides comfort with a focus on independence and dignity.
Talk to Trinity Homecare Today
If your loved one requires home care, chat with one of our friendly care team today. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry and assessment service and are happy to offer information and advice to help you find the perfect home care solution.
Call us on 0207 183 4884 in confidence for a free no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.
