Difficulty walking up or down stairs could be an early warning sign of dementia, a symptom that is often overlooked because it appears before more obvious behavioural changes. While dementia is frequently associated with memory loss, charities are highlighting that problems with balance, coordination and spatial awareness can also signal the condition.
What to Look Out For
Alzheimer Scotland, a dementia charity, has stressed the importance of recognising symptoms beyond forgetfulness. The organisation said: "People often assume that memory loss and dementia are one and the same, but there are other key symptoms and signs to look out for. Every person with dementia is different. How their illness affects them depends on which areas of their brain are most damaged."
Alongside cognitive decline, dementia can affect physical movement, as those affected often struggle to judge distances accurately, likely due to the brain's reduced ability to process spatial information. The condition can impair visuospatial awareness, making everyday tasks such as climbing or descending stairs increasingly challenging. Those affected may struggle to lift their legs properly and become more susceptible to slipping or falling.
Physical Signs and Safety Advice
The Alzheimer's Society has pointed out that changes in a person's walk, such as shuffling their feet rather than lifting them, could be an early indicator of dementia. The charity explains: "Things like slips, trips and falls might become more common. You might start to notice that a person is shuffling as opposed to lifting their legs when they are walking."
Should someone be struggling with stairs while displaying other signs of dementia, it is advisable to arrange a GP appointment on their behalf. To enhance stair safety, the society recommends discussing necessary modifications with landlords or letting agents where appropriate, as well as taking part in strength and balance exercises. "You can reduce your risk of falling by doing strength or balance exercises twice a week. These include sitting, standing and walking exercises. Your GP could also refer you to a physiotherapist."
The charity also recommends checking homes for potential hazards such as loose carpets and clutter. The NHS further highlights other key dementia symptoms to watch out for, including memory problems and difficulties with communication.
Other Symptoms to Watch
According to the NHS, early symptoms of dementia include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, finding familiar daily tasks difficult or confusing, struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word, being confused about time and place, and mood changes. Dementia can also affect cognitive ability, leading to difficulty understanding time and place, trouble with shopping and paying, struggling with decision-making and reasoning, loss of interest in activities, and restlessness such as pacing or fidgeting.
