Dementia serves as an umbrella term covering various conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease
A psychologist has shed light on what ‘mixed dementia’ actually means whilst debunking a widespread misunderstanding. Dr Kelynn Lee, who serves as CEO of the Dementia Care Hub and is a devoted researcher specialising in cognitive decline, recently used TikTok to address a follower’s question.
The follower had recently discovered their mother had been diagnosed with mixed dementia and wrongly assumed this indicated doctors were uncertain about the precise form of dementia she had. However, Dr Lee clarified this wasn’t accurate at all.
According to the Express, in a video, she said last year: “No. So, a mixed dementia is when a person has more than one type of dementia. Ok, so rather than just having Alzheimer’s disease, they will have Alzheimer’s disease plus vascular dementia, as an example.
“That’s probably the most typical one when we are talking about mixed dementias. So, no, it isn’t that they aren’t sure what it is, it’s the fact that it’s two types of dementia.”
Dementia serves as an umbrella term covering various conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, all characterised by progressive deterioration in brain function. The NHS calculates that more than 944,000 people across the UK are currently living with dementia, whilst the Alzheimer’s Society indicates that one in every 10 people suffers from mixed dementia.
Mixed dementia, which combines various forms of the condition, doesn’t come with a distinct symptom profile. Carers looking after people with mixed dementia must therefore get to grips with the warning signs of each type, though it’s typical for one type’s symptoms to be more prominent than others.
Official guidance at Alzheimer’s Society adds: “Alzheimer’s disease with vascular dementia. This is the most common type of mixed dementia. It’s caused by a person developing Alzheimer’s disease and at the same time having diseased or damaged blood vessels supplying their brain.
“The two different types of disease combine to make symptoms worse than they would be on their own.” Currently, there’s no cure available for mixed dementia, though treatments exist to ease its symptoms, which can include confusion, memory loss, and difficulties with speech, amongst other issues.
Anyone who believes they or someone close to them might be showing signs of dementia should seek advice from their GP.
Possible early warning signs of dementia
Dementia symptoms vary according to the specific type. Nevertheless, in the initial phases, typical indicators might include:
- Mood changes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping
- Memory loss
- Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
- Being confused about time and place
NHS guidance adds: “These symptoms are often mild and may get worse only very gradually. It’s often termed ‘mild cognitive impairment’ (MCI) as the symptoms are not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia.
“You might not notice these symptoms if you have them, and family and friends may not notice or take them seriously for some time. In some people, these symptoms will remain the same and not worsen. But some people with MCI will go on to develop dementia.
“Dementia is not a natural part of ageing. This is why it’s important to talk to a GP sooner rather than later if you’re worried about memory problems or other symptoms.”
Visit the NHS website for further information.
