Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting an estimated 850,000 people in the UK.

The NHS explains: “Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition, which means the symptoms develop gradually and become more severe over the course of several years. It affects multiple brain functions.

“The first sign of Alzheimer’s disease is usually minor memory problems. For example, this could be forgetting about recent conversations or events, and forgetting the names of places and objects.”

Symptoms also include signs of mood changes or periods of confusion. However, as the disease develops, symptoms become more pronounced – and those affected may exhibit obsessive or repetitive behaviours, delusions, disturbed sleep, problems with speech and language, hallucinations and difficulty performing spatial tasks.

However, while this may make work more difficult, Alzheimer’s UK advises that it “may be better for your physical and emotional wellbeing to carry on for as long as you are happy or able to do so.”

You can find out more about the symptoms of Alzheimer’s – or advice on working after a diagnosis – here.

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