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Journalism of Courage
Experts are sounding the alarm over specific signs in your walking pattern that could indicate the onset of dementia.
According to a report by Irish Star, “Researchers have identified specific walking-related symptoms as red flags because navigating a walk demands considerable cognitive effort,” it states.
As dementia progresses, individuals may find their sense of direction skewed, making it challenging to interpret their surroundings accurately. But four clear signs can help know whether one suffers from the condition while on a walk.
Gill Livingston, professor at University College London, explains that early-stage Alzheimer’s can lead to difficulties understanding objects and spatial awareness. This altered perception may cause individuals to misinterpret what they see, leading them to walk in unexpected directions to avoid perceived obstacles. As cognitive abilities decline, notable changes in walking speed and step size can occur, reflecting a decrease in confidence and balance.
Dr Kadam Nagpal, senior consultant neurologist at Salubritas Medcentre, elaborates on these four key signs in walking patterns that could indicate dementia:
Slowness in walking: The first sign is that patients typically show some slowness in walking. This is commonly seen in patients with advanced dementia, particularly in the later stages, where symptoms suggestive of Parkinsonism emerge and become more pronounced, leading to reduced walking speed.
Reduced arm swing and postural instability: Due to the slow walking speed, the second sign often observed is a reduction in arm swing, along with postural instability.
Increased risk of falls: Patients may often experience falls because of their slow walking and their inability to perceive objects directly in front of them. As a result, they may bump into nearby objects and sustain falls.
Aimless wandering and navigation difficulties: Patients may engage in aimless wandering and experience significant navigation difficulties and visual-spatial disorientation. They may struggle to understand whether they need to turn right or left, leading to confusion and disorientation.
Dr Nagpal highlights the importance of early recognition of these signs. He tells indianexpress.com, “It’s important to recognise that with dementia, slowness and extrapyramidal symptoms can occur, causing patients to have a slower walking style.”
For caregivers, Dr Nagpal suggests practical measures to assist individuals with dementia. “We often advise caregivers to provide patients with bluetooth tags or geo-tags, either as a locket or bracelet. This way, even if the patient tends to wander out of the home, their location can be tracked, ensuring they don’t get lost or wander into unfamiliar areas.”
He also recommends making the living environment more navigable, saying, “We also tell caregivers that the patient requires 24-hour supervision. We suggest placing glow-in-the-dark signs or other clear markers around the house to help the patient easily understand the orientation of the household rooms.”
Dr Nagpal concludes by stressing the significance of these walking-related symptoms. “Any patient or person who is aimlessly wandering, unable to understand where exactly they need to go, experiencing significant navigation difficulties, and showing slowness in their walking style — these are important markers that the person may be suffering from cognitive decline and should be assessed for underlying dementia.”
Early recognition of these signs can lead to timely intervention and appropriate care for individuals who may be developing dementia.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
