There are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, with this number on the rise as people live longer and expected to hit one million people by 2025.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a number of cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's, that impair the ability to remember, think, or make decisions. One in 14 people over the age of 65 have dementia, while the condition affects one in six people over 80 - and experts studying the disease are now urging people to familiarise themselves with its symptoms as cases continue to climb.
Dr Oscar Lopez, director of the University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, told The Mirror: "The prevalence of dementia in general in the population is huge. It's a time bomb. Because people are living longer."
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However, Dr Nicole Purcell, practising neurologist and senior director of clinical care at the Alzheimer's Association, warned that there is not a "one size fits all" when it comes to identifying the tell-tale signs of dementia, and it can present differently depending on the person. But both experts agreed that the most common symptoms of the devastating disease tend to revolve around memory issues.
Dr Lopez named the most prevalent signs as: "Mainly forgetfulness. Or finding difficulties finding the right word. Normally people remember the word five to ten minutes after they forgot it but people with dementia most likely won't remember the word."
He added: "People say, 'I'm not the same, but I can not put that in words'. Or the family will say he or she is not the same person. They cannot put that in words. Sort of a feeling, that something is different."
According to Dr Lopez, dementia may also sometimes start with an unexplained change in someone's personality - their family or friends may notice that they have become more disinhibited or aggressive. And Dr Purcell provided a broader definition to help patients and their loved ones identify the signs.
Of when someone should see a doctor about their symptoms, she said: "We generally recommend that if a patient is not functioning at their baseline, whether it be psychiatric or behavioural symptoms. Maybe they're depressed when they've never had depression."
The disease can also manifest as a change in function. "So they're having difficulty walking or they can't do the things they would normally do," Dr Purcell explained.
According to the NHS, dementia symptoms may include problems with memory loss, thinking speed, language, understanding, judgement, mood, or movement. People with dementia can lose interest in their usual activities, and may have problems managing their behaviour or emotions, as well as potentially losing interest in relationships and socialising.
Anyone who is worried about themselves or a loved one can go to the Alzheimer's Association website where there is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week phone line where you can get advice on resources in their area and get connected to the right people. You can also visit the NHS website for further information.
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