'THE ONSET OF DEMENTIA'

MY FATHER USED TO MAKE US BREAKFAST EACH SUNDAY MORNING.

I CAME OUT ONE DAY TO THE KITCHEN TO FIND HIM STANDING AND STARING INTO SPACE.

I ASKED HIM WHAT WAS WRONG. HE HAD MADE US SOME TEA AND TOAST AND THINGS WERE UNDERWAY.

"WHY ARE YOU STARING INTO SPACE DAD?", I ASKED. "I DON'T KNOW", WAS THE REPLY HE GAVE.

"ARE YOU MAKING BREAKFAST THEN?", I ASKED.

WELL, UM..., YES BUT I'M NOT SURE WHAT I'M DOING NEXT." HE REPLIED.

HE HAD MADE THE BREAKFAST BUT COULD NOT FIND WHERE THE CUPS WERE OR PLATES.

WHAT HAPPENS

(SYMPTOMS):

- forget people they have known all their life -

- friends and family not recognisable -

- loss of memory -

- can't reason or make clear decisions -

- difficult to concentrate-

- no planning or judgement -

- change in personality -

- uncharacteristic display of temper and emotions -

- difficulty remembering things -

- not understanding what people say as much (comprehension) -

- unable to do routine tasks like cooking -

- can be aggressive / outbursts of anger -

- forgot location of things in house -