Four early signs of dementia that can be spotted while walking

Dementia’s most glaring sign may be memory loss, yet there are subtler symptoms to watch out for.

Folks are being cautioned about four preliminary signals detectable during a stroll, often one of the illnesss initial manifestations.

Currently incurable, early dementia detection can nonetheless slow progression in some instances, allowing individuals to preserve cognitive abilities longer, the NHS explains. The health service advises: “A diagnosis helps people with dementia get the right treatment and support. It can also help them, and the people close to them, to prepare for the future.”

With over 900,000 Brits affected by dementia, ordinary memory slips due to stress and fatigue are commonplace, but increasing forgetfulness should prompt a visit to the doctor.

Researchers have also earmarked early warning signs apparent while walking because navigating on foot demands considerable mental engagement.

Spatial awareness can dwindle as dementia alters one’s environmental perception, contends Prof Gill Livingston. She noted: “People with early-stage Alzheimer’s can struggle to understand objects properly so they see things as 3D when they’re not, or even 2D when actually 3D.

“It means they see objects which aren’t there, which can force them to walk in a new direction while trying to avoid it. Or it means they can fall over things they think are flat. On top of that, they can’t remember things they’ve seen previously, so getting back to places can be hard.”

As cognitive abilities decline, individuals tend to move more slowly, reflecting in their reduced walking pace. Dementia can alter arm swings as balance issues arise, leading people to use their arms for stability, while smaller steps, another sign of dementia, may stem from a lack of confidence.

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