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The term ‘dementia’ describes the collection of symptoms – loss of memory and disorientation, mood changes and problems with communication and reasoning – that occur when the brain is affected by specific diseases or conditions. There are around 750,000 people in the UK living with dementia and every person will be affected in their own way.
Whether you are someone with dementia or a loved one, a diagnosis can be a very difficult and frightening time. Everyone’s journey will be different, as physical make-up, emotional resilience and the support network available will shape each individual’s experience. It can feel like there is a lot of uncertainty and unanswered questions, but there are ways of living with dementia and people who will be on hand to offer support.
Several different conditions can cause dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and fronto-temporal dementia and it is not uncommon for a person to be diagnosed with more than one form of dementia. Whilst a diagnosis can be very distressing to hear, it can help to plan for the future.
Dementia is most common in people over 65, but there are around 16,000 people in the UK under this threshold with dementia. When a person with dementia finds that their mental abilities are declining, they often feel vulnerable and in need of reassurance and support. The people closest to them need to do everything they can to help the person to retain their sense of identity and feelings of self-worth.
Adaptations to the home – such as handrails, ramps and specialist shower and toilet facilities – can make life a little bit easier for people with dementia who aren’t ready to make the transition into residential care. There is also a range of equipment, including memory and mobility aids, safety devices, such as gas-detectors and water-level alerts, and assistive technology that can increase independence both for the person with dementia and those around them.
Dementia is progressive, which means that it will gradually get worse. Whilst there is ongoing research into developing drugs, treatments and vaccines, there is currently no cure for dementia. There are drugs known as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors though, which can temporarily alleviate some of the symptoms of some types of dementia. How fast dementia progresses will depend on the individual, as everyone is unique and will have a different experience.
It is of note that the early symptoms of dementia are common to other illnesses including depression and may not be an indication of dementia. It is very important to get a proper diagnosis and so if you are worried about yourself or someone close to you, you should discuss your concerns with your GP.
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