Although Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, many remain unaware as to its signs and symptoms, alongside the impacts it can have.

With September and World Alzheimer’s Month fast approaching, two experts have issued advice on the symptoms to look out for and how those struggling with Alzheimer’s can be better supported.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease mostly affects older adults, but it can develop in younger people under the age of 65, when it is known as young onset Alzheimer’s disease.

It is thought to be caused by a build-up of proteins in the brain which affect how the brain cells transmit messages, says the specialist dementia nursing charity Dementia UK.

As time passes, more brain cells are damaged, leading to worsening symptoms, and there is currently no cure to stop or reverse the disease.

Professor Arshad Rather, consultant geriatrician at Medical Express Clinic, explained that people often conflate Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, but they are not the same.

Rather says: “Dementia is an umbrella term. It’s a group of diseases that have one thing in common – that is problem with the cognition.

“That problem with the cognition is progressive and, over time, it affects your ability to look after yourself and, ultimately, you die because of the complications. That’s dementia.

“Now, dementia is caused by different diseases. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s, followed by vascular dementia… and there are lots of other causes of dementia.

“It’s not a single disease that causes dementia but, by far, the most common cause is Alzheimer’s.”

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s?

Rather says it is important to remember that “dementia is not a normal part of ageing” – and while age is a risk factor, not all older people have dementia.

While most people “slow down” with age, and this can affect memory, certain signs and symptoms should not be dismissed.

Dementia UK says the most noticeable early sign of Alzheimer’s disease is usually difficulty with memory, especially short-term.

For the middle to late stages, symptoms can include increasing confusion and disorientation, delusions, hallucinations, problems with speech and language, loss of speech, incontinence and mobility problems.

Hannah Gardner, consultant admiral nurse for children and young people at Dementia UK, says the symptoms can affect individuals in different ways.

She explains: “It can cause confusion, disorientation, getting lost in familiar places, difficulty in planning and making decisions as well, and it can affect confidence and anxiety.

“It’s not a normal process of ageing, it impacts the person individually. The classic is that short-term memory issue, but it’s not just a memory issue. It impacts every aspect of their life.

“I think people think, ‘Oh, it’s just a memory problem, that’s all’, but actually, it impacts planning, confidence, self-awareness, remembering, appointments, paying bills, remembering a pin number as well.

“People do put it down to just getting old, but it’s actually a disease of the brain.”

Do symptoms differ between genders?

Gardner says women are more likely to have or develop Alzheimer’s disease and men are more likely to develop vascular dementia, the second most common type of dementia.

However, when it comes to differences between genders, she says it is “all down to the individual person”.

“Women are living longer, so they are more likely to develop dementia because we have medicines for other diseases,” she says.

“I think social isolation, depression and loneliness can impact the chances of developing dementia in women.

“Women are more likely to be carers as well – that can cause extra stress.

“I think it’s all down to the individual person. I think dementia affects people individually.”

Gardner says women are perhaps “more open or more likely to go to a GP than a man to get diagnosed”, which could impact diagnoses between genders.

However, she is encouraging anyone with symptoms to get checked and to reach out for help when needed.

Rather adds: “The symptoms differ depending on the type of dementia, not necessarily with men and women.”

Does treatment differ between genders?

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but medication can improve the symptoms and slow its progression.

Along with other treatments such as cognitive therapy, social activities, music groups and reminiscence sessions can help, but Rather says the drugs currently available do not “reverse the problem”.

He says treatment does not typically differ depending on gender, rather it is the form of dementia.

“The drugs we have, they help with preserving some memory and they help with behaviour, but they don’t reverse anything – and this is mainly for Alzheimer’s,” he says.

“But there is hope that, with the researchers in the next two or three years, we might have better drugs.”

Gardner adds: “(The treatment) comes down to more of the physical health than the gender.”

How can we better support people with Alzheimer’s?

Rather stresses the importance of socialisation and meaningful conversations and interactions with patients who have dementia, along with lifestyle choices, such as eating a balanced diet.

He says: “I think it’s important to have social interactions and meaningful conversations with patients who have dementia.

“Socialising is important – it helps keep the brain active, improves mood, reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation – and regular social interactions can stimulate memory and language.

“You have to understand, dementia is not only about memory. Their language gets affected, their communication skills get affected, their ability to look after themselves, their behaviour gets affected.

“So, these things help. It helps with their confidence, their independence, they get a sense of identity, (and) spending time with family, friends or community groups (is important).”

Gardner says it is important for carers to seek support, too, and to recognise that Alzheimer’s can affect younger people and family members as well.

However, she wants to stress that those with dementia are still the same person and no-one should “struggle alone” or compare themselves to others.

“I think it’s about educating yourself about the disease and looking at the symptoms and also really remembering that they are still the person,” she says.

“It’s all about that history and that communication, how you still engage with the person. Often people get labelled with a diagnosis, but they are still that person.”