Receiving a dementia diagnosis can come as a real shock - not just to the person diagnosed, but to their friends and family too. There's a lot to think about and, understandably, it can all feel overwhelming.
Getting an understanding of dementia, what it is, its different forms, its symptoms and the help available, however, can be beneficial when it comes to supporting a loved one affected by the illness.
Contents
What are the most common types of Dementia?
What are the early signs of Dementia?
What support is there for people affected by Dementia?
What is dementia?
Dementia is not one illness, but rather a broad term used to refer to a range of progressive conditions. There are more than 200 different types of dementia, each preventing a person's brain cells from working correctly in certain areas. They can impact the way someone thinks, remembers, and speaks. All forms of dementia are progressive, which means the symptoms will worsen over time.
Though it mainly affects people over 65, dementia can affect younger people too - a form known as young onset dementia.
It's been estimated that nearly a million people in the UK are living with dementia (Luengo-Fernandez, R. & Landeiro, F. (in preparation). The Economic Burden of Dementia in the UK). According to the Alzheimer's Society, it's been projected that more than a million people in the UK will have dementia by 2025.
There's currently no cure, but medication can help when it comes to managing some of the symptoms.
What are the most common types of dementia?
The four common forms of dementia are:
- Alzheimer's disease: the most common type of dementia which, according to Dementia UK, affects one in 14 people over the age of 65 in the UK. Alzheimer's is caused when naturally occurring proteins clump together to form plaques in the brain. They disrupt the function of brain cells which eventually causes them to die.
- Vascular dementia: caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. It's been estimated that 150,000 people in the UK are affected by vascular dementia. You can learn more about this particular form in our guide ‘what is vascular dementia?’.
- Lewy body dementia: abnormal deposits of protein form inside brain cells. It's not clear how they damage the brain, but they're thought to impact its normal functionality by disrupting signals sent between brain cells.
- Frontotemporal dementia: it occurs when protein build-ups develop in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain - the front and sides. According to the Alzheimer's Society, it impacts 16,000 people in the UK.
What are the early signs of dementia?
Dementia impacts people different people in different ways. And different types of dementia have their own symptoms.
However, there are some common early symptoms. At first, they're often mild but may gradually become worse over time. These symptoms include:
- loss of memory
- concentration difficulties
- challenges with carrying out regular daily tasks
- confusion around time and place
- changes in mood
- difficulties with following conversations or finding the right words
Someone affected by these symptoms may not notice them at first. However, it's important to remember that dementia is not a normal part of ageing. If you're worried you or a loved one might have dementia, seek the advice of a GP.
What support is there for people affected by dementia?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, support is available when it comes to putting together care plans - including your local council, GP and memory assessment services.
During the early stages of dementia, many people are able to remain in their own homes with the right levels of support. However, as the symptoms worsen and the illness progresses, a more intensive level of support may be necessary. For many, this is at a dementia care home, where they can receive round-the-clock support that's tailored to meet their needs.
Here, at Sanctuary, we have homes across the country with compassionate carers who pride themselves on helping people live well with dementia. If you’d like to learn more about our services, please visit our dementia care page. Or find your nearest dementia care home today.
