Dementia
Your guide to understanding dementia diagnosis and support.
Stopping people with dementia becoming lonely and isolated
None of us wants to be lonely or become isolated and alone, but unfortunately, for people living with dementia, this is a common side effect. Many older people become lonely and socially isolated, but for those living with dementia this is an even bigger issue. ...
Dementia assessment
If you are worried that you are getting more forgetful, or you have been feeling confused, anxious, or low for a while, it is a good idea to visit your GP. Such symptoms may be caused by several conditions, but they may also be an indication of dementia. Your GP...
Dementia brain scan
A brain scan is included in the standard evaluation for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Both CT (computed tomography) scans and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans will show brain changes caused by dementia. For more information or if you wish to...
Dementia blood test
A research is currently under way to develop a blood test that can detect dementia up to two decades before people develop any symptoms relating to Alzheimer’s such as memory loss. The research undertaken by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in...
Will dementia show up on a CT or MRI scan
A brain scan is included in the standard evaluation for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Both CT (computed tomography) scans and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans will show brain changes caused by dementia. For more information or if you wish to...
How dementia is diagnosed
If you're worried about your memory, or think you may have dementia, please see your GP. If you're worried about someone else's memory problems, encourage them to make an appointment with their GP and perhaps suggest that you go with them. Getting a formal diagnosis...
Dementia risk factors
There are several risk factors which affect someone getting dementia. Some of these factors you will not be able to change, such as: Age – dementia usually affects people who are over 65 years old. Above this age, a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or...
Dementia versus normal ageing
Many of us get a little more forgetful as we get older. Most of us will take a bit longer to remember things when we get distracted, and we may struggle to multi-task as well as we did when we were younger. This may become especially noticeable from middle age -...
Dementia: can it be fatal?
Although people don’t die from dementia, the presence of the disease can accelerate other illnesses (such as pneumonia) that can be fatal. The actual death of a person with dementia is usually caused by another condition, for example the person is likely to be frail...
Why dementia should be viewed as disability
Dementia is counted as a disability by the Equality Act 2010, as it causes “long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis...