Dementia in Bedfordshire

If you're becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you're over the age of 65, it may be a good idea to talk to your GP about the early signs of dementia.

As you get older, you may find that memory loss becomes a problem. It's normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, or certain illnesses and medications.  This can be annoying if it happens occasionally, but if it's affecting your daily life or is worrying you or someone you know, you should seek help from your GP.

But dementia isn't just about memory loss. It can also affect the way you speak, think, feel and behave.  It's also important to remember that dementia is not a natural part of ageing.

What is dementia?  Click here to find out more

Why seeking help early is important

In this short video Dr Roshan Jayalath, a local GP and Bedfordshire’s clinical lead for Mental Health services discusses the benefits of seeking advice for memory problems early with Professor Burns, the clinical lead for NHS England.

Reasons for having an early diagnosis (for the individual and their family):

• Avoiding crisis situations
• Access to advice and support
• Access to treatments that can improve symptoms and slow down progression of the disease
• Receiving an explanation for symptoms which they have been worrying
• Plan and prepare for the future – finances,  lasting power of attorney or advance decision
• Maximising quality of life and living independently
• Helping to avoid unnecessary hospital admission
• Personalised  support provided by other healthcare professionals
• Assessment might diagnose an underlying treatable condition e.g. depression

Support in Bedfordshire for people who have been diagnosed with dementia

There are a number of local organisations who provide support for people who have been diagnosed with dementia – please click here for details. 

How to lower your risk of developing dementia

Dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing, find out what can be done to lower your risk of developing dementia.

What can you do to lower the risk of dementia? 

• Stop smoking
• Be more active
• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Improve diet
• Lose weight if necessary and maintain a healthy weight
• Stay mentally active (do puzzles or learn a second language)
• Remain social active – it also helps to improve your mood, relieve stress, reduce risk of depression and reduce loneliness

 Useful information

Living well with dementia

One You campaign for people aged 40-60, aims to motivate people to take steps to improve their health, which will help reduce the risk of dementia.