Experiences with

Dementia

Welcome to the NHS dementia guide

If you or someone you know is worried about becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if they're older than 65, you should talk to your doctor about the possibility of dementia.

This site offers information for people with dementia and their families and friends. It aims to raise awareness of dementia, as well as help people create networks and better understand the impact of the condition.

There are also links to lots of information on dementia and sources of local and national support.

The tabs at the top of the page list the contents of each section. Use them to find and select the page you want from the drop-down menu.

If you can't find what you're after, try the search box at the top of the page – it covers everything on the whole NHS website, including:

  • information on conditions and treatments
  • advice to help you live a healthier lifestyle
  • advice to boost your mental wellbeing

Coronavirus advice

Get advice about coronavirus and dementia:

What are the signs of dementia?

Dementia is not a single illness, but a group of symptoms caused by damage to the brain.

You should look out for:

  • memory loss, such as remembering past events much more easily than recent ones
  • problems thinking or reasoning, or finding it hard to follow conversations or TV programmes
  • feeling anxious, depressed or angry about memory loss, or feeling confused, even when in a familiar environment

Read more about the signs of dementia.

If you're worried about someone who is showing the signs listed above, encourage them to visit their GP.

Why is it useful to get a dementia diagnosis?

If you're worried about your memory, it's well worth talking to your doctor. They may be able to reassure you that you don't have dementia.

But if you do have dementia, an early diagnosis may help you get the right treatment and support in place in good time. 

Finding out sooner rather than later can also give friends and family valuable time to adjust, and can help them prepare for the future.

Find out why it's important to see someone about suspected dementia as soon as you can.

How we can all help with the dementia challenge

We can all help with dementia. If you know someone who has the condition, this site will help you understand how best to support them, both physically and emotionally.

There's also lots of information on what you can do in your community. Small steps can make a real difference, such as helping friends and neighbours understand the challenges faced by people with dementia.

You can use this site to find out more about dementia, and discuss anything related to the condition through the Alzheimer's Talking Point community.

You can also call the Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053 about any issue related to caring for someone.

Carers Direct can answer your questions and point you to organisations near you that can help you get the support you need.

You might also want to look into popping into your nearest memory café, where you'll be able to chat with other carers and people with dementia over a cup of tea while getting support from trained professionals.

Social care and support guide

If you:

  • need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability
  • care for someone regularly because they're ill, elderly or disabled - including family members

Our guide to care and support explains your options and where you can get support.

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

2,927 public posts

Stress when dealing with dementia in a loved one.

Getting a better understanding of dementia as well as learning ways of supporting and encouraging the person with dementia, can reduce stress and make life happier for everyone.
in PMRGCAuk

Genetic study of Lewy body dementia supports ties to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases .

dementia, The results, published in Nature Genetics, not only supported the disease’s ties to Parkinson’s disease but also suggested that people who have Lewy body dementia may share similar genetic profiles to those who have Alzheimer’s disease. ."
in Parkinson's Movement

Update on mum. 2 months post op and doctors ar thinking dementia? Could stroke cause dementia?

Now they are saying it might be dementia. They did MRI scan yesterday and dementia specialist are assessing her today. We are terrified. We are hoping its not dementia? Anyone been through this?
in Headway
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Gut Hormone Found to Play Critical Role in Parkinson’s Disease Dementia

https://www.genengnews.com/news/gut-hormone-found-to-play-critical-role-in-parkinsons-disease-dementia/
in Parkinson's Movement

Help! Early stage PD dementia?

I am panicked that I may have early stage PD dementia. I don't usually have dreams, but last nite I awoke at 3 a.m. at the moment I was "seeing" a honey bee inching toward me. It's the middle of winter, so this was clearly a hallucination. (I have a phobia about bees.)
in Parkinson's Movement

Monday round-up

This isn't something I have encountered before myself in dementia care (usually quite the reverse), so was advising her to call 111 sooner rather than later. I'm still not clear whether this is a known facet with dementia sufferers.
CallendersgalModerator
in Care Community

Finding Connection and Memory in Art & Nature - Upcoming Virtual Event on Creative Aging!

How can solutions for those living with memory loss and dementia extend to all of us? How might we all benefit from the tonic of nature, even when we cannot leave our homes?
in Care Community

Finding Connection and Memory in Art & Nature - Upcoming Virtual Event on Creative Aging!

How can solutions for those living with memory loss and dementia extend to all of us? How might we all benefit from the tonic of nature, even when we cannot leave our homes?
in Memory Health: Alzheimer's Support Group

B12 Deficiency and Dementia

This is a link to a video which talks about the correlation between low B12 and high homocysteine levels. I know it's not about pernicious anaemia but I thought people here might find it interesting. Prior to starting B12 shots my homocysteine level was at 16. After my loading doses it dropped down
in Pernicious Anaemia Society

Anavex 2-73 Safely Aids Cognition in Parkinson’s Dementia, Phase 2 Trial Reports

“Cognitive impairment of patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia is very distressing to patients and their families and is associated with greater risk of institutionalization and accelerated progression to severe dementia and death.
in Parkinson's Movement

Monday round-up

I don't know if anyone else saw this on BBC television this morning which referenced what a wonderful help music is for people with dementia.
CallendersgalModerator
in Care Community

Friday rambling

I heard the news last night that we have lost an actress considered to be a 'national treasure' in Barbara Windsor, and it's been open knowledge for a long time that she was suffering from Alzheimer's dementia. (For those members who aren't in UK, she was a UK star of screen and TV).
CallendersgalModerator
in Care Community

Monday round-up

I don't know an awful lot about this but I'd say it was the phenomenon of 'sun downing', when the change in light, and possibly because of a disturbed circadian rhythm through his dementia, confusion and agitation starts. To put it baldly, she says it's 'driving her mad.'
CallendersgalAdministrator
in Care Community

“ Astrocyte dysfunction following molybdenum-associated purine loading could initiate Parkinson’s disease with dementia”

It is a period of transhumance here in my country (Lake Como), so it happens that a friend who currently defines himself as an "observer status only in HU" sent me this research linking purines with mobilden deficiency and neurological problems, but this only happens in humans and sheep due to a capacity
in Parkinson's Movement

Monday round-up

You might remember we had a family crisis after she had a serious slip and fall accident, and is the carer for her husband with mixed dementia. I'm now in communication with her in hospital and she's doing really well and getting around on a walking frame with not too much pain.
CallendersgalModerator
in Care Community

Parkinson's Bias

In all situations of memory and anger , sadness...none of it is real to outsiders they just chalk it up to PD dementia or confusion, real or not. Even our abnormal movements and loss of micro expressions conspire against us unwittingly and create a bias environment wherever we go.
in Parkinson's Movement

Another ANGRY Person

Do we who suffer with PMR all suffer with dementia and treated like idiots. The drug mthotrexate (my OH spelling)
in PMRGCAuk

Dangerous Drug Combinations...

People with Type 2 diabetes, for example, often have other conditions, such such as depression, heart failure, a previous heart attack, chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, or high blood pressure.
in Diabetes India

Brain training

I know there’s evidence to show it may help with the onset of dementia but not sure of the evidence relating to brain injury. It certainly won’t do any harm and it may we’ll be beneficial
in Headway

Adult Social Services - the elderly - can anyone offer some insight?

I spoke to her GP who said if she has dementia then not much can be done, it's just a death sentence etc. He did arrange a brain scan for her which she said was fine which I cannot believe. She has obvious cognitive problems on her left side - messages not coming form the brain?
in Care Community
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