A neurologist has warned that one early warning sign of dementia could appear while a person is on the phone. According to the expert, this symptom could be “easily missed”.
Dementia is a syndrome, or a group of symptoms, associated with the ongoing decline of the brain. Most common in people over the age of 65, it can lead to issues with memory, behavioural changes, and even mobility problems.
Like any health issue, the sooner you spot the symptoms of dementia the sooner you can get the treatment and support needed. However, some of the warning signs might not always be obvious.
Doctor Baibing Chen, a neurologist who is better known online as Dr Bing, took to social media platform TikTok to explain more.
In a video, he shared three signs of dementia that people might not notice.
“Here are three signs of dementia that people often miss,” he explained. Among them was a symptom that can manifest while someone is on the phone.
Dr Bing warned that people with dementia may show poor judgement or decision making. This could lead to them giving away money over the phone.
He continued: “This isn’t about forgetting something, it’s about making choices that seem out of character or very risky such as giving away large amounts of money to telemarketers or making impulsive unnecessary purchases. They might also dress inappropriately for the weather or forget basic hygiene skipping showers or wearing the same clothes for days without realising it.
“And these changes all happen because dementia affects the brain’s ability to process information and make appropriate decisions. So, if you notice any of these signs in a loved one, please don’t ignore them.”
His advice is backed by charity Dementia UK, which states that dementia patients are “more vulnerable” to phone scams. This is due to symptoms such as changes in judgement, increased confusion, difficulties with decision-making, problems with communication and understanding, and difficulties with managing money.
To avoid phone scams, Dementia UK shared the following advice:
- Do not be pressured into taking an action or making a commitment because an unknown caller implies there is urgency
- Banks will never contact you by phone. If someone claims to be calling from your bank, tell them you are going to hang up. You can then call the bank yourself to check. The phone number for your bank is on the back of most debit cards. You can also make a guaranteed secure call to all banks by dialling 159
- Beware of calls from unrecognised numbers, particularly if it has an unfamiliar code or a different format from UK phone numbers
- Talk to your telephone provider about ways to reduce nuisance calls, such as blocking certain types of phone number
- Consider registering with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), which allows you to opt out of receiving unsolicited sales and marketing calls
- If you are unsure that a call is genuine, stop, hang up and ask someone you trust before doing anything.
On top of this, Dr Bing shared two other early warning signs of dementia to look out for.
“Personality, or mood changes,” he said. “We tend to think of dementia as a memory problem but it often affects emotions and behaviours first.
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“Someone who was always patient and easygoing might suddenly become irritable, anxious, or even paranoid. They might withdraw from social activities, avoid conversations, or lose interest and hobbies they once loved. And family members might think it’s depression or stress but if these changes happen gradually and don’t improve, they could be an early warning sign of dementia.”
The other symptom listed by Dr Bing was “difficulty with everyday tasks”. He added: “Everyone has moments of forgetfulness, but dementia makes familiar activities unexpectedly challenging. Maybe a person who used to be great at cooking now struggles to follow a simple recipe or someone who always paid the bills on time starts missing payments, and even routine things like using a remote control or remembering how to get to a familiar place can become confusing.
“If these struggles happen, repeatedly and interfere with daily life they shouldn’t be ignored.” If someone you know displays any signs of dementia, you should speak to their GP.