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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 an umbrella term that refers to symptoms caused by changes in the functioning of the brain that affect memory, personality and behaviour.
Worried about 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.
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
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
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
Dementia research | Dementia Australia
Researchers are currently investigating a number of aspects of dementia. Research into the causes of dementia There is still much to learn about the possible causes of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease - the most common form of dementia.
Read more on Dementia Australia 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
Genetics of dementia | Dementia Australia
People affected by dementia are often concerned about whether the condition can be passed along in families. Here we discuss the role of heredity in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Read more on Dementia Australia 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
Dementia treatments and cure | Dementia Australia
Researchers around the world are working to develop effective treatments for dementia, and eventually to find a cure. Much of this work is focussed on Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Available medications can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in some people, but they do not stop the progress of the disease.
Read more on Dementia Australia website
I have dementia | Dementia Australia
I have dementia Dementia affects people in different ways and each person will find their own approach to managing changes associated with dementia. You may have received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia and you may have many questions about what it means, what to do next and who can help. First steps after diagnosis
Read more on Dementia Australia website
Alzheimer
For more information on Alzheimer
Read more on Queensland Health 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
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
How Can we Prevent the Risk of Dementia?
Probably my favourite TED Talk is that by Lisa Genova, ‘What can you do to prevent Alzheimer’s?’ (Watch below) (2017) In the talk, Genova states that we can reduce our risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease by implementing lifestyle changes.
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
This pathway provides guidance on the imaging investigation of adult patients with cognitive decline, once systemic causes have been excluded.
Read more on Diagnostic Imaging Pathways website
Depression in dementia | Issue 6 | Volume 38 | Australian Prescriber
People with dementia of any type have a high incidence of major depression.
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Managing behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia | Issue 4 | Volume 39 | Australian Prescriber
Behavioural and psychological symptoms are perhaps the commonest complication of dementia syndromes.
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
