Yeovil District Hospital has launched a campaign asking people to be aware of the early signs of dementia.
Nearly 700,000 people in England live with dementia but this number is expected to double in the next 30 years.
The hospital's latest campaign encourages people to have that first "difficult conversation" with a friend or family member when they spot symptoms of dementia.
New research suggests that 55 per cent of people in the South West say they would find it hard to talk about dementia to a friend or family member they thought might have it.
Initial signs and symptoms of the condition include short-term memory loss, unexplained anxiety or depression, and problems thinking or reasoning.
Yeovil District Hospital's director of nursing, Helen Ryan, said: "With no short-term memory an unfamiliar hospital environment can be a very frightening place.
"Ensuring that dementia patients and their carers receive a high-quality service is one of our key priorities and staff across the hospital have been involved in a range of initiatives."
For more information and advice go to the Alzheimer's Society website at http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/toptips
Source: This is Somerset - http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/alert-dementia-signs/story-17068850-detail/story.html
