Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain.
Each type of dementia damages a person’s brain cells (neurones), affecting how the brain works. This can cause problems with memory, thinking, communication and carrying out everyday activities.
Dementia can affect people of any age, although it is more common in people over 65.
Our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses explain the symptoms, causes and different types of dementia, as well as where to find information, advice and support.
There are many different signs and symptoms of dementia, which vary depending on the type of dementia and what stage it is at. People may have some or all of them.
Common symptoms of dementia include memory problems, changes in cognitive ability (thinking, decision-making and problem-solving) and difficulties with communication. Changes in personality and behaviour are also common in some forms of dementia.
Many dementia symptoms can also be signs of other physical or mental health conditions, for example thyroid problems, infections, menopause, vitamin B12 deficiency, sleep apnoea, circulatory problems, depression, anxiety, work stress or relationship problems. This means that having symptoms of dementia does not mean you definitely have the condition.
However, if you or someone you know are experiencing signs and symptoms of dementia, it is important to see a GP to establish what may be causing them.
In the early stages of dementia, people typically start to experience symptoms that affect their everyday living, including:
A person with early symptoms of dementia may notice the signs themselves, or family, friends and colleagues may spot them first.
Memory problems may not be obvious in the early stages of some types of dementia, like frontotemporal dementia – changes in behaviour and personality may develop first. People with young onset dementia (where symptoms develop before the age of 65) are also less likely to experience memory loss as an early symptom.
If someone has symptoms of dementia, they should see a GP as soon as possible. Some other treatable conditions have similar symptoms, and it’s important to rule these out.
The GP should take the person’s medical and family history and ask about their concentration, short-term memory, mood and any behaviour changes. They might request blood tests.
The GP may use a short screening tool to check for problems with memory and other thinking skills (sometimes referred to as a ‘memory test’). This may involve asking questions, remembering and recalling information or completing simple tasks. The screening check can’t be used to diagnose dementia, but can help the GP decide whether further assessment or referral is needed.
If the GP believes the person may have dementia, they should refer them to a memory service/clinic or a specialist for further investigation, assessment and possible treatment. This might include an MRI and/or CT scan of the brain, although sometimes the GP will arrange these before the person is referred to the memory clinic.
Read more information about getting a diagnosis.
There are many different types, subtypes and causes of dementia. The most common are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia and mixed dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia in the UK. It’s caused by a build-up of proteins in the brain which damages the brain cells’ ability to transmit messages.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include:
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and the symptoms will get worse over time, but for some people, medication may be prescribed to help slow its progression.
Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia. It’s caused by problems with the supply of blood to the brain, often due to strokes or ‘mini strokes’ called transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs). These cause areas of cell damage in the brain.
Changes in a person’s condition as a result of TIAs or a stroke are often sudden and then plateau (level off). But the damage caused may mean the person never functions quite the same as before.
Vascular damage can also occur in the smaller vessels of the brain (known as ‘small vessel disease’) and symptoms may progress more gradually.
The symptoms of vascular dementia are often similar to Alzheimer’s disease, such as memory problems, disorientation and difficulty with communication.
However, symptoms can depend on which area of the brain has been affected and may include specific problems with:
People with vascular dementia may have periods with little change, followed by a sudden worsening of symptoms.
Lewy body dementia is a progressive condition that affects movement and motor control (the ability to control voluntary movements for specific tasks, like walking, getting dressed and using cutlery). Memory is often less affected in the early to middle stages than in other types of dementia.
A person with dementia with Lewy bodies might:
Frontotemporal dementia affects the frontal lobes of the brain: the part that controls behaviour, learning, personality and emotions.
It can affect people of all ages but is more common in people aged 45 to 65 than in those aged 65 and over.
Frontotemporal dementia can be difficult to diagnose. It’s sometimes mistaken for depression, stress, anxiety, psychosis or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Frontotemporal dementia can cause inappropriate social behaviour and a lack of inhibitions. Eating patterns can also be affected, with people bingeing on food, especially sweet foods.
It’s possible to have two or more types of dementia at the same time, most commonly Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
A person with mixed dementia will experience a combination of symptoms associated with the types of dementia they have.
Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells which stops them communicating effectively with each other. There are many causes, including a build-up of proteins in the brain, which occurs in Alzheimer’s disease; and problems with blood supply to the brain caused by health issues such as high blood pressure and strokes, which can lead to vascular dementia.
Dementia is not a natural part of the ageing process, although it becomes more likely as people get older. A person’s likelihood of developing dementia is influenced by a combination of risk factors, such as genetics, smoking, alcohol intake, lack of physical activity and untreated depression.
Dementia is not a single disease. It is a syndrome (a group of symptoms) caused by different diseases and conditions that damage the brain.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that damage the brain and cause symptoms such as memory loss, confusion and difficulties with thinking, communication and everyday tasks.
Alzheimer’s disease is one specific condition that causes those symptoms – it’s a form of dementia, but not the only type.
Young onset dementia is any type of dementia where symptoms develop before the age of 65. You might also hear it described as ‘early onset dementia’ or ‘working age dementia’. It’s thought that about 5% of people with dementia have young onset dementia.
The most common types of dementia amongst younger people are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia. Rare and genetically inherited types of dementia, and other conditions that can lead to dementia (such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease), are also more common in younger people.
Problems with language, vision, behaviour and/or personality may be the first symptoms of young onset dementia, rather than memory loss. This can result in a delay in diagnosis as the symptoms may be wrongly attributed to another problem such as depression, work stress or relationship difficulties.
There are currently around one million people in the UK living with dementia. While it is more common in people over 65, around 5% of people with dementia have young onset dementia.
Dementia UK can support you if you are concerned about possible or confirmed dementia or any other aspect of the condition.
Our virtual clinics give you the chance to discuss any questions or concerns with a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse by phone or video call, at a time that suits you.
The brain is made up of different lobes: temporal (one on each side), frontal, parietal and occipital. Each lobe has a different function and depending on which part is damaged by dementia, it can lead to different signs and symptoms.
Frontal lobes control:
Temporal lobes control:
Parietal lobes control:
Occipital lobes control:
Most dementias are not inherited, although Alzheimer’s disease may be more likely if you have a family history of the condition. Genetics are also thought to be involved in around 10% of young onset dementia cases. Some rarer causes of dementia can be inherited, like Huntington’s disease.
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, there is evidence that there are some things you can do to reduce the risk. Some of these changes are easier to make than others; however, research suggests that up to one in three cases of dementia could be prevented through a healthy lifestyle.
There is currently no cure for dementia, and the damage to the brain cannot be reversed. Because dementia is a progressive condition, symptoms will worsen over time.
However, many people continue to live well with dementia for years after diagnosis. Medication may help manage symptoms or slow the progression of some types of dementia. Practical support, therapies and lifestyle changes can all help people maintain their independence and quality of life.
Getting an early diagnosis allows people and their families to access the right treatment, support and advice as soon as possible.
Treatment depends on the type of dementia a person has and their individual symptoms.
Some medications can help to manage symptoms or temporarily slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and some other types of dementia. Other medicines may be prescribed to help manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression or sleep difficulties where appropriate.
Non-medical approaches are equally important. These can include staying physically active, keeping mentally and socially engaged, maintaining a healthy diet, establishing daily routines and making practical changes at home to support independence and safety.
Some people with mild to moderate dementia may be referred for cognitive stimulation therapy (CST): a group-based therapy that includes activities designed to improve memory and communication skills, promote wellbeing and provide opportunities to socialise.
Families also benefit from specialist advice and emotional support. Dementia specialist Admiral Nurses can provide practical guidance to help people understand the condition, manage symptoms and plan for the future.
Dementia is a progressive condition, which means symptoms get worse over time. It is often described in three stages: early, middle and late.
In the early stages, symptoms are usually mild and may include memory problems or difficulty finding the right words. As dementia progresses, people typically need more support with everyday activities, and in the later stages they often require full-time care.
Everyone’s experience is different, and the speed at which dementia progresses varies from person to person. Read more about the stages of dementia.
Safia, a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse for the Black, African and Caribbean Communities, speaks to Elene, whose mum lived with dementia. They reflect on the importance of culturally appropriate dementia care and support.
Claire's story shares the loss of both her parents, how Admiral Nurse Simon helped her and why she has donated to Dementia UK.
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