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What is dementia?
Dementia information
Dementia is not something that just happens to people as they get older. It is caused by different diseases.
Our brains control everything we think, feel, remember and do.
There are diseases that stop a person’s brain from working properly. When a person has one of these diseases, they may have problems with their thinking, memory and speaking. They might say or do things that seem strange to others and find it harder to do everyday things. They may not seem like the person they used to be.
When these problems get worse over time, doctors may use the word dementia to describe them.
Dementia is not something that happens just because we get older. It is caused by different diseases. These diseases affect different parts of the brain, so they affect people in different ways.
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Who is affected by dementia?
Dementia is very common.
Did you know that almost 1 million people in the UK have dementia?
In the UK there are more women with dementia than men.
People over 75 are much more likely to get dementia, but it can affect younger people too.
Is dementia just a normal part of ageing? Does it only affect older people? Beth, Melissa and Chris share their experiences.
How does dementia affect someone?
Most of us forget things from time to time, like where we left our keys. This does not mean we have dementia. When someone has dementia, symptoms get worse over time and get in the way of daily life.
When people have dementia, you might see some of these happen:
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Forgetting recent events, names and faces. Or repeating things over and over again.
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Not being sure about the date or time of day.
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Problems with paying attention or making simple decisions.
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Getting lost, mostly in places that are new.
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Putting things in the wrong place.
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Finding it hard to use the right words or to understand other people.
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Finding it hard to pay attention or make simple decisions.
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Mood changes like becoming sad or easily upset, or losing interest in things.
As dementia gets worse, people may have trouble speaking clearly or telling other people what they need or how they feel. They may find it hard to eat and drink, wash and dress themselves, and go to the toilet without help.
Why do people develop dementia?
In most cases we don’t know why a person may get dementia while someone else may not.
But some people may be more likely to develop it than others, like those who have had a stroke, or who have:
- Type 2 diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
- High cholesterol.
- Depression.
Most people with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia but there are other types too.
Is there a cure for dementia?
At the moment there are no medicines that can cure dementia.
Once a person has dementia, they will have it for the rest of their life. They will continue to get worse over time and need more support with everyday life.
There are some medicines that can help for a while, by making day-to-day life a little easier. There may also be group activities people can take part in to help them live better with their symptoms. Your doctor can tell you more about these.
Can I stop myself getting dementia?
There is no way to stop anyone from getting dementia, but there are steps we can take to make it less likely that we will.
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Ask your doctor to check your heart health, including blood pressure and cholesterol and follow their advice if they are too high.
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Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
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If you have diabetes, keep to your doctor's advice.
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Keep using your brain - through activities or social groups you enjoy.
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Don't smoke.
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Stay active and try not to spend too long sitting down.
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Keep your weight healthy.
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Drink less than 14 units of alcohol per week.
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Get your hearing and eyesight checked regularly and follow any treatment if prescribed.
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Stay connected to the world and people around you.
Where can I go for help?
If you think someone you know may have dementia, encourage them to see their doctor. The doctor will check what might be causing their problems. Sometimes the person might be sent to a hospital clinic to see what type of dementia they have. You can go with your relative or friend if they ask you to.
If the doctor says anything you’re not sure about, you can ask them to explain.
Rita's husband Larry was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. In the video below, she talks about why getting an early diagnosis is so important.
Caring for someone with dementia
Looking after someone with dementia can change your life in many ways. There is help for everyone affected by dementia, including family members and carers. It’s important to remember you’re not alone.
Your doctor may be able to help you find support in your area. You can also contact your local Social Services office to see what help they can give you.
Here are some other useful contacts:
The Dementia Research Infoline provides information about dementia, dementia research and opportunities to volunteer in studies. 0300 111 5111
Admiral Nurses offer people with dementia and their families practical advice, support and tips. 0800 888 6678
Alzheimer’s Society provides information, help and local support groups. A translation service is available. 0333 150 3456
Alzheimer Scotland offers support services, information and advice to people in Scotland.
0808 808 3000
Getting involved in research
People with and without dementia, and carers, have a vital role to play in helping scientists understand more about diseases like Alzheimer's, and to test new treatments, therapies and methods of diagnosis.
You can register to Join Dementia Research to find out which studies you can take part in.
You can also register your interest and find out more about what might be involved in a research study by clicking the button below.
In the video below, Rita shares why dementia research is important to her.
This information was updated in November 2024 and is due for review in November 2026. It was written by Alzheimer's Research UK's Information Services team with input from lay and expert reviewers. Please get in touch if you'd like a referenced copy.
This information is produced with support from The Perfume Shop who had no input into the content.
