What is Dementia

It's never too early to learn about dementia, or too late to reach out for support. Dementia isn't just part of getting old, and it affects people differently. For some, you might forget a joke or an appointment, or tell the same joke twice, but your condition doesn’t stop you doing the things that matter most including seeing your friends and loved ones, working and driving.

What is dementia?

Dementia currently affects over 900,000 people in the UK. There are many forms of dementia, with the most common being Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Each individual will experience their dementia differently, but they are all diseases of the brain which can cause:

Memory loss.
Problems with everyday tasks, like handling money.
Difficulties with communication, both speaking and understanding.
Confusion regarding time or place.
Sight and hearing problems.
Perception problems.
Altered behaviours.

This video from the Alzheimer's Society may be of interest: What is dementia? (youtube.com)

Dementia is not a natural part of aging.

It is caused when a disease damages nerve cells in the brain. Nerve cells carry messages between different parts of the brain, and to other parts of the body. As more nerve cells are damaged, the brain becomes less able to work properly. It is progressive – in that it starts off with very mild symptoms and gets worse over time. It affects everyone differently. No two people with dementia are the same.

The word 'dementia' describes a group of symptoms that over time can affect memory, problem-solving, language and behaviour. Dementia can be caused by many different diseases which affect the brain in different ways, resulting in the different types of dementia, but Alzheimer’s disease is the most common followed by vascular dementia. Read about the different types here: Types of dementia | Alzheimer's Society (alzheimers.org.uk).

Whilst one in six people over 80 have dementia, two thirds live in the community, and only one third in care homes.

What are people with dementia like?

Each person’s experiences of dementia is different – activities that one person struggles with may not be a problem for someone else. Most people think of someone with dementia as being very confused, needing a lot of help, living in a care home, and unable to communicate because this is how the media often portrays people with dementia, however, most people will not fit this stereotype.

Someone living with dementia is more likely to have much less pronounced difficulties, live independently, get out and about, use shops and cafes, and be doing the same kind of things we all do, but they may just need a little more help to carry on doing these things as time goes by. Whilst one in six people over 80 have dementia, two thirds live in the community, and only one third in care homes. Read more about dementia by clicking here.

What are the behaviours someone with dementia might have? They may include:

Looking, or saying that they are a bit lost or confused.
Problems recalling things that happened recently.
Appearing to be searching for something they can’t find.
Looking like they don’t know what to do next.
Difficulty concentrating, planning or organising – for example, struggling to make decisions, solve problems or follow a series of steps (such as cooking a meal)
Misunderstanding what is being seen – for example, problems judging distances (such as on stairs) or perceiving the edges of objects, and misinterpreting patterns or reflections.
Appearing to find self-service facilities hard to understand.
Being confused about time or place – for example, losing track of the time or date, or becoming confused about where they are
Difficulties with speech, which may be hard to understand or they may be struggling to find the right words to explain.
Appearing to have problems understanding what is said to them.
Mood changes or difficulty controlling emotions – for example, becoming unusually anxious, irritable, sad or frightened, losing interest in things and personality changes.

For more details on dementia symptoms: Stages of dementia: early stage dementia - Dementia UK

There are however all sorts of reasons why people might be having these problems that are nothing to do with dementia or memory problems, but you may begin to identify signs that enable someone to explore if they are experiencing challenges.

How can I spot a person with dementia?

You can’t. Some people with dementia will tell you if they are having problems and how you can help, or they may carry a card which explains the difficulties they experience and the help they need. Other people with dementia may feel uncomfortable disclosing information about their dementia, or having attention drawn to their difficulties. You may find that people refer to having memory-problems rather than using the word dementia.

Click Here for the Dementia Symptoms Checklist

Something's changed?

Have a Conversation.

Each person experiences dementia in their own individual way. Different types of dementia also tend to affect people differently, especially in the early stages.

If you have established a relationship with the person it may be possible to have a conversation around memory issues and any support the council could provide, and to help access the services you offer. If possible ask and encourage the individual has seen their own General Practitioner regarding their memory issues, as they can facilitate tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms and provide referrals to clinical specialists.

To get the most out of your appointment you can:

prepare for your appointment by making notes about what you want to say, or completing the symptoms checklist
ask a friend or relative to go to the appointment with you
be honest and let the GP know what’s worrying you
use words and descriptions that feel right to you
make a note of what the GP says
ask questions if you’re unsure about anything

Reach out to your GP

Becoming forgetful could be a normal part of ageing, but if it’s causing you concern, it’s important to visit your GP. If you’ve only recently become aware of changes, it might feel as though your symptoms aren’t ‘bad enough’ yet. But getting an early diagnosis of dementia can be important.

Before a diagnosis of dementia can be considered the GP needs to rule out any other underlying conditions that may cause similar symptoms to dementia.

If the tests are all clear and the difficulties remain, then a referral would be made by the GP to the Memory Service at Leicester General Hospital, before your referral is seen at a clinic appointment at Rutland Memorial Hospital.

If you do have a diagnosis of dementia, your GP practice can then continue to help and support you with ongoing care and management, supporting you and your family if required.

People aged between 40 and 74 are able to have a health check carried out by their GP practice. The health check now incorporates memory awareness questions - this can be an easier way to ask for a dementia check.

Benefits of a Diagnosis?

It might not be dementia

An early diagnosis helps you to access:

the right support to live as well as possible, including treatments to help with symptoms,
information to help you and others understand the changes you’re experiencing, and
any benefits or legal protection you may be entitled to.

Speaking to your GP is the starting point.

In an Alzheimer’s Society survey, 3 out of 5 people with dementia wish they had received their diagnosis sooner.

Problems with memory and thinking aren’t always dementia. Many other conditions can cause similar symptoms which can be treated, including:

depression or anxiety
medication side effects
sleep problems
problems with eyesight or hearing
chest or urinary tract infections
severe constipation
thyroid problems
stress 
iron and vitamin deficiencies

There are also other causes of memory problems and thinking that are different to dementia, and can get better with the right support, such as mild cognitive impairment.

Often, it’s a combination of things that cause symptoms. Seeing the GP can help you get the treatment you need to feel better.

What happens after the GP?

Memory Clinic in Leicester and Oakham

If your GP thinks you may have dementia, they will refer you usually to a dementia specialist at a Memory Clinic.

Memory Service Team will carry out a detailed assessment to find out whether you have dementia. The Memory Service provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment for people who are experiencing memory difficulties.

If you do have dementia, they will also try to find out what sort of dementia you have.

The assessment will include:

talking to you about the changes you have noticed
your medical history
mental ability tests

If needed, the specialist may also ask for:

physical examinations and tests, such as a blood test
a brain scan

It can help to take along a friend or relative, to support you and help you to remember what the specialist says.

A specialist’s assessment will be similar to those you have already had done at your GP surgery. It will just be more detailed to give them as much information as possible. This includes taking a history, physical examinations and tests.

For more information the Alzheimer's Society explains more about this stage.

For further information please contact the Memory Service on 0116 225 6143.