Spotlight On: Dementia

What is dementia? What do I do if I’m concerned about dementia? What support is available? Our feature on dementia, the third in our Spotlight On series, aims to explain things that you can do to help you live as well as possible with dementia and plan ahead.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a general term to describe symptoms that occur when certain diseases or conditions affect the brain.

Symptoms of dementia include:

  • memory problems
  • mood changes
  • problems with thinking, speech and communication.

Symptoms vary depending on which underlying condition is causing the dementia and which parts of the brain are affected.

Many conditions cause dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. All conditions that cause dementia get gradually worse over time, and can’t be cured.

Most people affected by dementia are over 65 years old, but it can also affect people younger than this.

Everyone experiences dementia differently and although the symptoms of dementia may get worse, things can be done to help people with dementia live as well as possible.

Symptoms to look out for

Symptoms of dementia can include memory problems, sensory, emotional and physical changes, or problems with thinking and communicating.

Some examples of memory problems include:
  • Struggling to remember things that happened recently, even though you can remember things from long ago.
  • Struggling to remember the names of familiar people or things.
  • Having trouble remembering the day or date.
  • Forgetting where you put something, or where things are kept.
Some examples of problems with thinking include:
  • Feeling that your thinking is fuzzy.
  • Struggling to follow conversations, particularly in groups.
  • Struggling to follow a story on television or in a book, or to understand magazine and newspaper articles.
  • Repeating yourself or forgetting what you were saying.
  • Struggling to do things you used to find easy.
  • Feeling disorientated, even in a familiar place.
Some people experience sensory changes:
  • Problems with spatial awareness and depth perception.
  • Difficulty understanding the things you see.
Some people notice emotional changes:
  • Changes to your mood, or mood swings.
  • Difficulty controlling your emotions.
Some people experience physical changes:
  • Trouble with sleeping.
  • Changes to your appetite.

As we get older, most of us experience some of these things now and again. Being forgetful or getting confused doesn’t necessarily mean you have dementia. These problems can be caused by common treatable conditions, including:

– anxiety or depression
– side-effects of medication
– stress
– vitamin deficiencies
– thyroid problems
– constipation
– dehydration
– urinary tract infections.

If you’re worried, it’s always best to talk to your doctor and share specific examples of symptoms you’ve experienced. This will either set your mind at rest or, if you do have dementia, get you the help and support you need. Getting a diagnosis can help you make changes to live as well as possible.

Diagnosis and support

When you see your doctor you should:

  • discuss your symptoms and how they affect your daily life – they may also ask someone close to you about any changes they’ve noticed, if you consent to them being involved
  • ask questions to test your thinking and memory
  • carry out some health checks, such as blood tests, to look for other conditions that might be causing your symptoms.

The doctor may refer you to a specialist or a memory clinic so a more detailed assessment can be carried out. This may include physical examinations, memory tests and possibly a brain scan.

And if it is dementia?

The memory clinic or health specialist in charge of your care should discuss the cause of your dementia with you, and whether there is any appropriate medication or therapy-based treatment available, such as Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.

It may all seem overwhelming at first. You may feel shock or disbelief, or be worried about the impact the diagnosis will have on you and those close to you. On the other hand, you may feel relieved you can put a name to what’s going on and better understand what’s happening. However you feel, take time to process what the diagnosis means for you.

Living well with dementia

Different strategies – such as writing down reminders, following a routine, and staying in touch with friends and family – can help you deal with the challenges of dementia. You can also make your home safer with something as simple as good lighting.

Around the house
  • Follow a routine – doing things a the same time each day or week can reassure you and help stimulate your memory.
  • Pin notes up in prominent places to remind you of things you need to do regularly, as such locking the doors at night or putting out the recycling.
  • Carry a notebook to write down your daily tasks or reminders.
  • Put important things like keys or glasses in the same place every time you finish using them.
  • Try some simple gadgets, such as clock that shows the date and day of the week, or a pill box with compartments for different days and times.
Interacting with others
  • Carry on doing the things you enjoy with the people you enjoy doing them with.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions, or to say that you don’t understand or have forgotten what was said.
  • Put important telephone numbers by the phone.
  • Stay in touch with friends and family so you don’t become isolated. If you find conversations between large groups hard to follow, perhaps try to meet just one or two friends at a time.
  • Carry a helpcard. It can be used to let people know you have dementia and includes the contact details of someone who can help. This can be useful if you need assistance. These are available from Alzheimer’s Society.
  • Make sure others don’t take over – they may think they’re being helpful by doing as much for you as possible, but do what you can for as long as you can.
Driving

If you drive, you must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) (see page 41) and your insurance company about your diagnosis.

A diagnosis of dementia doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to stop driving straight away. The DVLA takes each case individually.

If the DVLA decide you can continue to drive, you’ll be given a driving licence that is valid for a limited period – usually one year – after which your condition will be reviewed again.

Keeping engaged and active

Keeping engaged and active can help you feel more positive and remind you, and others, that you can live well with dementia. Here are some ideas:

Socialising

Keep in touch with friends so you don’t become isolated. Your local Age UK may run social groups, which can be a great way to meet people in your area. You can visit www.ageuk.org.uk/inyourarea or call 0800 169 65 65 to find your local Age UK.

Exercise

Physical activity is good for your health and can also improve your mood. Walking, swimming, chair exercises, dancing and gentle exercise classes are all good options. Our guide Healthy living has more suggestions. As your dementia progresses, you may find it easier and safer to take part in group activities rather than exercising alone.

Cooking

If it’s hard to follow the recipes you used to use, try to adapt them to suit you. For instance, if you find it hard to concentrate on a recipe with lots of different steps, look for a shorter one. You can also get adapted kitchen tools, and use a talking timer to remind you to check on what’s in the oven.

Legal and financial considerations

If you’re living with dementia, you may be able to claim a disability benefit or apply for a Council Tax exemption. If you have a carer, they may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance.

Disability benefits

You may be entitled to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance (AA), depending on your age and the support you need. These aren’t means-tested, so your income and savings won’t be taken into consideration.

Useful contacts

Related Posts

Scroll to Top