A lesser-known symptom of Alzheimer’s disease may show up when driving, it has been revealed.
Alzheimer’s is one of the most common types of dementia and the earlier it is diagnosed the better the support options for the patient. And there are some signs which are to be expected and others that may be surprising.
Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. For people getting behind the wheel of a car, a symptom of the disease is for them having difficulty in remembering the way to a familiar location.
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And less known is that people who have the illness can find it hard to determine colour or contrast which can be noticed when driving, reports The Mirror. The Alzheimer’s Association says: “For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's.
"This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining colour or contrast, causing issues with driving." It adds that this shouldn’t be confused with vision changing due to cataracts as people get older.
Meanwhile, a new survey by the Alzheimer's Society revealed that only one in three people tell their doctors about themselves or a loved one experiencing dementia symptoms within the first month, with the majority remaining silent. The poll of 1,100 people showed that many people stayed quiet because they weren’t certain which symptoms were dementia-like and which were just normal ageing.
“One in three people (33%) who notice symptoms of dementia in themselves or a loved one keep their fears to themselves for over a month,” the charity said. According to the survey, only 15% of people addressed the issue straight away, while 11% said they still haven’t raised their concerns after spotting the first symptom.
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