Experts suggest that two potential indicators of dementia may emerge during the festive shopping season. If you notice these signs in loved ones, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional promptly.

Dementia encompasses a set of symptoms associated with the gradual decline of cognitive abilities. This condition manifests through various warning signs, such as memory lapses, behavioral changes, and difficulties in communication and language skills.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, dementia can also lead to misinterpretations and incorrect identifications.

This phenomenon occurs when an individual mistakes one object for another or confuses identities. Various factors can trigger these misunderstandings.

For example, the organization notes that due to impaired visual processing, a person might mistake their TV remote for a mobile phone, unable to clearly recognize the remote.

In another scenario, even if the remote is visible, brain damage could cause the individual to incorrectly interpret it as a mobile phone.

“A person with dementia may also have ‘visuospatial difficulties’, when the brain has problems processing information about 3D objects,” the charity explains. “This can affect a person’s spatial awareness or the ability to judge distances. They may have difficulties using stairs, parking a car or recognising objects.”

Misperceptions and misidentifications tend to worsen with advancing age as vision typically deteriorates over time. This can lead to several complications during shopping trips.

The Alzheimer’s Society notes that people living with dementia may encounter challenges whilst out shopping. They could:

• Attempt to use a bus pass instead of a payment card
• Or fail to select the correct coins when making a purchase

“Some misperceptions and misidentifications can lead a person with dementia to make errors in how they use an object,” the charity explains on its website.

The NHS also highlights that “getting confused over the correct change when shopping” represents a possible indication of dementia.

How to support someone with these symptoms

If you observe someone exhibiting these signs, the charity has outlined the most effective ways to offer assistance. It advises: “A person with dementia who is misperceiving or misidentifying things may feel unsure about their surroundings, and feel less confident and independent.

“You can support the person by reassuring them when they make mistakes, and build their confidence and willingness to go to new places. If they do not notice that they are making mistakes, it could be that they lack insight into their dementia. They may become irritated or more easily frustrated if you point out mistakes.

“Familiar surroundings can be helpful to a person who is misperceiving or misidentifying. This is because they may rely more on memory and habit than on perception to move safely around their home. Try not to move furniture, or change where things are kept, as this can make it more difficult for them to relate to their space.”

Additional warning signs of dementia to watch for include:

• Memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating
• Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
• Being confused about time and place
• Mood changes

It’s estimated that nearly one million people in the UK are living with dementia. If you or someone you know exhibits these symptoms, it’s advisable to consult a GP.