Red flag at the dinner table could be a lesser-known sign of dementia
A symptom of dementia could appear at the dinner table, according to an expert. This lesser-known sign could cause the affected person to complain about a meal they used to enjoy or even prevent them from eating.
Many of us are familiar with some of the most common warning signs of dementia. Memory loss and behavioural changes are among the red flags that someone might be experiencing cognitive decline.
But there are some less obvious signs that should raise alarm bells. Care expert Michael Berkley-Blezard, from the Elmfield care group home Old Sarum Manor, has shared some of the lesser-known symptoms to watch out for.
One such sign is not enjoying certain foods any more. He explained: “Sensory issues are not always recognised as dementia symptoms and as a result, are not often reported as such.
“These sensory issues could be increased sensitivity to noise, changes to smells and also the way that food tastes which may cause a loved one to not to enjoy food they might have used to.” His advice is backed by advice from the Alzheimer’s Society.
On its website, the charity said this could also cause people to start liking foods they didn’ used to. It explained: “A person with dementia may begin to develop changes in how they experience flavour.
“They may start to enjoy flavours they never liked before, or dislike foods they always liked. Sometimes people with dementia make food choices that don’t match their usual beliefs or preferences.”
As an example, the charity said a person who has been a lifelong vegetarian may want to eat meat for reasons including:
- Their preference has changed
- They remember that they used to eat meat (before they became vegetarian)
- They have forgotten they don’t eat meat
- They see you or someone else eating meat and want the same, without knowing what it is
It added: “For similar reasons, people who have other beliefs may start to want something different that they previously wouldn’t have eaten. For example, a person who does not eat pork for religious reasons may start to want pork. It can be difficult to know what to do in these situations.”
As the condition worsens this symptom can cause more issues. “As dementia progresses, a person may put things that aren’t food into their mouth, such as napkins or soap,” the Alzheimer’s Society said.
“There could be a number of reasons for this. For example, the person may no longer recognise the item or what it’s for, or they may be hungry and mistake the item for food.”
Michael warned that some other signs of dementia include:
- Shuffling when walking
- Using the wrong word in a sentence
- Being late
- Forgetting names and faces
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Misplacing items
He said: "If you start to notice any of these signs in your loved ones, try and have a conversation with them about what you have noticed and suggest booking a doctor's appointment to discuss the symptoms. This will help guide you and your loved one with how to move forward."
If someone you know displays symptoms of dementia, you should speak to a GP.
Daily Express
