Five things you should know about dementia |
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Dementia is not a natural part of getting older and it's not just about forgetting things. Find out the five things that you should be aware of.
Memory problems are a common early sign of dementia, but not for everyone.
A person with early-stage dementia might ask for the same information repeatedly or forget something they were recently told. But dementia can also affect the way people think, speak, perceive things, feel and behave.
'Dad's hallucinations got worse and worse' - Jess and her dad's young-onset dementia diagnosis
Common symptoms of dementia include:
- confusion and needing help with daily tasks – such as shopping or paying bills
- problems with language and understanding – including often being unable to find the right word, or having trouble following a conversation.
- changes in behaviour – such as becoming unusually anxious or irritable.
The changes may be small to start with, but become more noticeable. For example, they can begin to cause problems with familiar tasks such as using a phone or using public transport.
Find out more about memory loss and dementia.
We all forget a name or a face sometimes, especially as we get older. But the changes caused by dementia are different and more serious.
Symptoms of dementia can include problems with planning and decision-making, language, and sometimes changes in mood or behaviour.
These changes in mental abilities may be small to start with, but become more noticeable. It's important to know the difference between normal ageing and dementia.
Dementia doesn’t just affect older people. Over 42,000 people under 65 in the UK have dementia. This is called young-onset dementia.
Contact your GP surgery
If you’re worried about your memory, or about someone else, the first thing to do is make an appointment with the GP.
Your GP can take the next steps to get you the support and treatment you need, including checking for other conditions that might be causing your symptoms.
The thought of being told you have dementia is frightening. It can be difficult to talk to other people about your symptoms and how you’re feeling. But doing this will help to get answers and any support you need.
Find out more about getting a diagnosis from your GP.
Dementia is a group of symptoms. It’s caused by different diseases that damage the brain and stop it from working properly.
Different types of dementia damage different parts of the brain.Types of diseases that cause dementia include:
- Alzheimer’s disease (the most common type of dementia)
- vascular dementia (the second most common type)
- dementia with Lewy bodies
- frontotemporal dementia (including Pick’s disease).
Find out more about types of dementia.
Although there is no cure for dementia yet, scientists and researchers are working hard to find one.
Support and treatments are available to allow people with dementia to lead active lives and carry on doing the things that matter to them most.
There are medicines for some types of dementia that can ease symptoms for a while, or slow down their progression, in some people.
Other non-drug approaches that can help with symptoms of dementia include:
- cognitive stimulation, which might involve doing word puzzles or discussing current affairs
- life story work, sharing memories and experiences with a carer or nurse to create a ‘life story book’
- keeping as active as possible – physically, mentally and socially – which can boost memory and self esteem, and help avoid depression.
Our dementia research
Researchers are working with people with dementia and their families to look into the causes of dementia. Dementia researchers are looking at how the condition might be prevented and diagnosed earlier, and how to improve quality of life for people living with dementia.
The more we understand about it, the more we can do to help people with dementia stay independent and live the life they want for as long as possible.
Find out more about our dementia research.
You are not alone. We provide expert information and support to anyone affected by dementia.
- Call our Dementia Connect support line if you’d like to talk to someone for information, support or advice on 0333 150 3456.
- If you speak Welsh, call our Welsh-speaking support line on 03300 947 400.
- For callers to the Dementia Connect support line who do not have English as their language of choice, we can arrange a simultaneous language translation service.
- Browse our online community Talking Point, and sign up to share your experiences with other people affected by dementia.
- Find services local to you for people affected by dementia.
- Get your copy of publications and factsheets designed to support and inform anyone affected by dementia.
