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Dementia
Dementia is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, their behaviour and their ability to perform everyday tasks. There are more than 100 different causes of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. Dementia is more common in older people, although people under 65 can develop so called younger onset dementia. Learn about common dementia worries, how to prepare your home environment and caring for someone with dementia in this section.
Dementia — an overview
Dementia is a disease that affects a person’s memory, thinking, and behaviour. There is no cure but recognising the symptoms early can support quality...
Worried about your memory or dementia?
You might be worried that you or a family member has dementia. Learn the early signs of dementia and how to raise concerns with your doctor.
Dementia and the home environment
Making your home environment safe and comfortable for a person with dementia is very important. Check out these helpful resources.
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease affects brain function, memory and behaviour. Learn about the symptoms, how it’s diagnosed and how to delay its onset.
Younger onset dementia
People under 65 can develop younger onset dementia. Learn about planning, legal rights and respite care for people with early onset dementia.
Caring for someone with dementia
Caring for someone with dementia can be frustrating and stressful at times, but there are organisations that can help with training and support.
Respite care for carers of people with dementia
Caring for a person with dementia can be rewarding, but physically and emotionally tiring. Regular breaks from your caring role (respite) are vital.
Dementia and driving
Dementia can affect your memory, concentration, judgement and vision, which makes driving a car more difficult. Here's what you need to know.
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Top results
Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease | Dementia Australia
Research has established a link between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. This page explains what is currently known about this link, and discusses the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome and some information about where to find additional support.
Read more on Dementia Australia website
Lewy Body Disease | Dementia Australia
Lewy body disease is a common form of dementia, sharing many similarities with Alzheimer’s disease. Causes, diagnosis and progression are described here.
Read more on Dementia Australia website
Vascular dementia | Dementia Australia
Vascular dementia is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease.
Read more on Dementia Australia website
HIV associated dementia | Dementia Australia
What is HIV associated dementia? When someone has the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) they may develop a complication to the disease which is known as HIV associated dementia, or as AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC).
Read more on Dementia Australia website
Dementia (Non-Alzheimer type) - Brain Foundation
Dementia (Non-Alzheimer type) (See also Alzheimers Disease) Description The term dementia is used to describe the pattern of deteriorating intellectual function particularly (although not exclusively) in the elderly that can occur as a result of various neurological disorders
Read more on Brain Foundation website
Alzheimers Disease - Brain Foundation
Alzheimers Disease Description Alzheimers Disease is a form of dementia a neurodegenerative disease that damages the brains intellectual functions (memory, orientation, calculation, etc
Read more on Brain Foundation website
Alzheimer's disease - MyDr.com.au
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. Find out all you need to know, including what causes it and whether it can be prevented.
Read more on myDr website
Alzheimer
For more information on Alzheimer
Read more on Queensland Health website
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia.
Read more on WA Health website
Detect Early | Dementia Australia
Detect Alzheimer's, Help Australia
Read more on Dementia Australia website
Top results
Rivastigmine for people with Alzheimer's disease | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: Rivastigmine (6 to 12 mg daily orally or 9
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
GPCOG Screening Tool | Detect Early
Detect Alzheimer's, Help Australia
Read more on Dementia Australia website
Wandering in Aged Care | Ausmed
Wandering is when a client roams around or attempts to leave their home, their care facility or the company of other people. is typically associated with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, which cause people to have difficulty remembering where they are and how to find their way around.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Modifiable Dementia Risk Factors | Ausmed
Is there any way to completely prevent dementia? The answer, sadly, is no. However, by managing the modifiable risk factors of dementia, it is possible to decrease the likelihood of developing it. It is never too early or too late to adopt a brain-healthy lifestyle.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Dementia Types and Symptoms | Ausmed
Dementia is the term used for a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain–it is not one specific disease. There are 6 main cognitive domains that may be affected by dementia. An estimated 1,800 new cases of dementia are detected each week and this is expected to grow.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Purposeful Engagement & Activities for People with Dementia
This article will provide carers with a foundational understanding of purposeful engagement and activity design, to ensure their clients with dementia receive effective person-centred care.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Communicating with Someone Who Has Dementia | Ausmed
A series of practical tips on how you can engage respectfully with clients affected by dementia, to best ensure their care needs are met and fulfil the expectations laid out in the Aged Care Quality Standards.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Dementia-Related Sleep Disturbances and Sundowning | Ausmed
Some people with dementia may experience a disturbed sleep pattern, causing them to sleep during the day and feel awake and restless at night. Up to 25% of people with mild or moderate dementia and 50% of people with severe dementia are affected by sleep disturbances.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Dimebon for Alzheimer's disease | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: Our meta-analysis is limited by the small number of studies, imprecision, inconsistencies between studies and likelihood of bias
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Limiting antipsychotic drugs in dementia
Antipsychotic drugs may be ineffective for managing the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
