About Dementia & Other Helpful Information
Being educated about dementia, how to spot it and the best methods of coping with the condition are so important, we have put together some key information points and created a guide with a lot of helpful links and resources.
Take a look or feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about Dementia.
Download a helpful explanation about Dementia for childeren written by one of our carers - Karin Parkinson.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for several diseases affecting memory, other cognitive abilities and behaviour that interfere significantly with a person’s ability to maintain their activities of daily living. Although age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia, it is not a normal part of ageing.
Types of Dementia.
There are several types of dementia, including:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia with Lewy bodies
- Mixed dementia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Frontotemporal dementia
Early onset dementia.
When a person develops dementia before the age of 65, this is known as ‘young-onset dementia’.
Signs of Dementia.
Memory problems are one of the first signs of cognitive impairment related to Alzheimer’s disease.
Stages of Dementia.
Sometimes, dementia is roughly split into four stages: Mild cognitive impairment, Mild dementia, Moderate dementia and Severe dementia.
What causes Dementia.
Dementias can be caused by brain cell death, and neurodegenerative disease. Dementia can also be caused by a head injury, a stroke or a brain tumor
Is Dementia genetic?
Most dementias are not passed down through the family. This page will help you understand the genetic links for different types of dementia.
Choosing a Care Home.
Choosing a care home for you or someone you know is not easy and therefore worth considering all the options.
Lasting Power of Attorney.
A power of attorney is a legal document that allows someone to make decisions for you, or act on your behalf, if you’re no longer able to or if you no longer want to make your own decisions.
Dementia activities in Barnet.
Online activities for people living with dementia with their carers have great benefits.
Alcohol dementia.
Alcohol consumption in excess has well-documented negative effects on both short- and long-term health, one of which is brain damage that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
Dementia Friends & Dementia Champions
Dementia Friends is the biggest ever initiative to transform how the nation thinks, acts and talks about dementia. Unite today and become a Dementia Friend.
What is the difference between Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or a series of strokes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia but not the only one.
Early signs of Dementia.
Early signs of dementia can include:
- Changes in short-term memory.
- Changes in mood.
- Trouble finding the right words.
- Apathy.
- Confusion.
Symptoms of Dementia.
Symptoms of dementia can include:
- Recent memory loss – a sign of this might be asking the same question repeatedly.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks – for example, making a drink or cooking a meal.
- Problems communicating – difficulty with language; forgetting simple words or using the
wrong ones. - Disorientation – getting lost on a previously familiar street, for example.
Dementia test.
Cognitive dementia tests are widely used and have been verified as a reliable way of indicating dementia. The GP usually asks various questions.
Dementia clock.
Sometimes a person with dementia will behave in ways that are difficult to understand more often in the late afternoon or early evening. This is known as Sundowning.
Is Dementia hereditary?
Most dementias are not passed down through the family. This page will help you understand the genetic links for different types of dementia.
Dementia drugs.
Read about all the various dementia drugs. No treatment can stop the disease. However, some drugs may help keep symptoms from getting worse for a limited time.
Mental Capacity Act 2005.
A person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that he lacks capacity.
Dementia cafes in Barnet.
Find your nearest dementia café.
Dolls in dementia care.
The use of life-like dolls or soft toy animals can bring great benefits to some people with a diagnosis of dementia
Dementia tax.
People with dementia should not bear the sole responsibility for saving and paying for their care.
Become a Volunteer Today
If you would like to volunteer for Dementia Club UK we would like to hear from you, email us or call Lisa.