Two dementia warning signs that may be noticed while shopping

Dr Hilary lists the early symptoms of dementia

Two symptoms of dementia could appear when shopping, experts have warned. If you notice either of these signs in loved ones you should seek medical help.

Dementia is a syndrome, or a group of symptoms, associated with the ongoing decline of the brain.

This leads to warning signs such as memory loss, behavioural changes, and problems with speech and language.

According to experts at the Alzheimer’s Society, it can also cause misperceptions and misidentifications.

This means that the affected person sees one thing as something else - or a person as someone else. There are a number of reasons why this can occur.

Struggling to pay while shopping could be a sign of dementia (Image: Getty)

As an example, the society said someone may mistake their television remote for their mobile phone because:

• Their visual system is damaged, and it’s not clearly seen (misperceived) as a television remote
• Or, it might be clearly seen as a television remote but damage in the brain causes it to be incorrectly understood (misidentified) 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 says. “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 also increase with age because eyesight can get worse as you get older. This can result in a couple of problems when shopping.

The Alzheimer’s Society says that some people with dementia may:

• Try to use a bus pass as a payment card
• Or not use the right coins to pay for something.

“Some misperceptions and misidentifications can lead a person with dementia to make errors in how they use an object,” the charity says on its website. The NHS adds that “getting confused over the correct change when shopping” is a potential symptom of dementia.

If you notice someone displaying these symptoms the charity shared how to best support them. It says: “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.”

Other signs of dementia to look out for include:

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

Almost one million people in the UK are thought to be living with dementia. If you or someone you know displays symptoms you should speak to a GP.