Dementia signs in behaviour and mood must not be confused with normal ageing, say experts

Everybody changes as they get older as life presents us with new obstacles and experiences but dementia experts are reassuring people by explaining the differences between these natural changes and the signs of Alzheimer's disease. Early signs of dementia can be found as people's behaviour changes but these symptoms are not the same as natural ageing although they may appear similar.

Perfectly natural and normal signs of ageing include occasionally forgetting people's names, misplacing items, struggling to find the right word or having problems with new technology. For the vast majority of people, these are part of the inevitable process of getting older and have nothing to do with the onset of Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

The Alzheimer's Society says: "As people get older, they are likely to notice some changes in their mental abilities. Though these changes can be frustrating, they are a natural part of ageing. Dementia is not a normal part of getting older.

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"When a person has dementia, this worsening in mental abilities is much more serious. For a health professional to diagnose dementia, a person's symptoms must be significantly affecting their daily life. This means having difficulties with completing daily tasks about the house, in the community or at work."

Is it dementia or natural ageing?

People change as they age. It's only natural for older people to occasionally feel low or anxious, reluctant to take part in social occasions or perhaps become irritable or annoyed when their routine is disrupted. All of these are perfectly natural signs of ageing so are nothing to be worried about.

However, according to the Alzheimer's Society, there could be cause for concern if people become seriously withdrawn and "lose interest in work, friends or hobbies". Another red flag is when a person feels unusually "sad, anxious, frightened or low in confidence" and if a person gets easily upset at home, at work or with friends in situations or locations in which they would normally feel comfortable and familiar.

The Alzheimer's Society stresses that dementia can only be diagnosed by a qualified health professional. There is more information about the diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer's disease on the NHS website.