Dementia is not a distant issue. It is now responsible for around one in eight deaths in the UK, and that figure is expected to rise in the years ahead. For many readers, dementia already touches home – through a friend, neighbour, or family member who is either living with the condition or caring for someone who is.
Many people believe dementia cannot be prevented. However, research suggests around 45% of cases are linked to health and lifestyle factors that we can influence. The most effective risk reducers are simple and practical:
- Blood pressure: know your numbers and get it checked (through your GP or one of our Mart Health Huts).
- Hearing: do not ignore changes – untreated hearing loss is linked to a higher risk of dementia.
- Alcohol: keep within recommended levels to support brain health, mood, sleep, and blood pressure.
- Smoking: stopping is a positive health change at any age.
- Physical activity: aim for a 20 to 30 minute brisk walk most days, plus strength and balance exercises a couple of times a week.
- Head protection: head injuries can increase dementia risk. Farming carries a higher risk of accidents, so wear helmets, work safely at height, and reduce slip and trip hazards.
- Social connection: social isolation is linked to a higher risk of memory problems.
It is never too late to make changes, but the earlier you start, the better. These steps help reduce dementia risk, but they also support something equally important: staying safe, steady, and independent for longer.
Dementia can affect reaction time, attention, spatial awareness, and judgement – it is not just “forgetfulness.” Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type, but there are other forms, including dementia linked to long-term alcohol use. Whatever the cause, dementia affects far more than the person diagnosed. In farming families, where generations may live and work side by side, dementia can create added pressures: increased safety risks, difficulties with communication and decision-making, and a gradual loss of confidence and identity in roles that have shaped someone’s life.
Early symptoms can be subtle and are sometimes missed or explained away as stress or tiredness. Signs may include difficulty keeping up with paperwork or finances, getting lost on familiar routes, or misplacing items more often. You may have worries about near misses, driving errors, or perhaps simply changes in mood, temperament, or judgement
Many people feel anxious about admitting there is a problem, especially if they worry a diagnosis could lead to losing their role, independence, or sense of self.
Often it falls to family members to raise concerns, and this can be a hard conversation to start. A helpful approach is to begin with care and support. Start by explaining what you have noticed, using one or two clear examples. Emphasise your concern for their wellbeing and safety, suggest a next step, such as making an appointment with the GP. Avoid arguments about memory, which can increase distress and shut the conversation down.
If you have genuine concerns and discussions are going nowhere, it can help to involve a trusted “third person” outside the immediate family. Many people find it easier to hear difficult messages from someone slightly removed, such as a GP, practice nurse, accountant, solicitor, or another trusted professional.
If there are urgent concerns about safety or finances, do not delay speaking to the GP or accountant. They may not be able to share personal information with you due to confidentiality, but they can listen to your concerns and take appropriate steps.
One important step, at any age, is to put Power of Attorney in place. This is a legal document that allows someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so.
Most people arrange Power of Attorney for two responsibilities – health and welfare and financial matters. Many families only look into this when it is too late. If the person who controls bank access or major decisions loses mental capacity without Power of Attorney, it can lead to complex and lengthy legal processes that could have been avoided. Power of Attorney can only be set up while a person still has the mental capacity to appoint someone they trust.
Think of it as part of good farm and family management, like insurance or financial planning, not something to leave until a crisis hits.
If you are in a situation where you are worried about dementia either in yourself or another person, confidential help and advice is available from Alzheimer Scotland at www.alzscot.org or call 0300 3735774.
Living with dementia is hard, for the person affected and for everyone close to them. The best approach is to act early: reduce risks where you can and start conversations sooner rather than later. These discussions may feel uncomfortable, but they are far easier in calm times than during a crisis, when stress is high and choices are more limited.
RSABI provides practical, emotional and financial support to all people involved in the Scottish agricultural industry.
The RSABI Health Hut is looking forward to the start of 2026, with a focus on health topics aimed at the older members of our farming communities – look out for the articles and if you are able, come and visit a Health Hut near you.
Dr Louise MacLarty has been a general practitioner and occupational health doctor in the Inverness and Dingwall area since 2007. Louise lives on a small farm in the Black Isle and helps to run the family forestry business. Louise is delighted to be a member of the RSABI Health Hut team promoting better health and wellbeing in the farming community.
For the dates of the health huts during the coming month please visit the Health Hut section of RSABI’s website https://www.rsabi.org.uk/health-huts/