Quarter of people with dementia symptoms delay seeing doctor

Almost a quarter of people with dementia symptoms waited more than six months before seeing a doctor, new research shows.

A new survey for the Alzheimer’s Society to mark Dementia Action Week also found one in three people who notice they or a loved one has symptoms keep their fears to themselves or dismiss them as old age.

Just 15% of the 1,137 people surveyed raised the issue straight away and 11% said they hadn’t raised concerns after first spotting symptoms.

Kate Lee, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We can’t continue to avoid the ‘d’ word – we need to face dementia head-on.

“As soon as you realise something is not right, come to Alzheimer’s Society – you can use our symptoms checklist to help have that all-important first chat with your GP.”

An early diagnosis is crucial to help manage symptoms, according to the charity, which has launched a new campaign called – It’s not called getting old, it’s called getting ill – to encourage people to seek support in getting a diagnosis.

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Source: The Independent, 15 May 2023