Dementia - an overview

Dementia describes a group of conditions that cause a gradual loss of brain function. Dementia can affect your:

• memory
• ability to think rationally
• social skills
• behaviour

Symptoms of dementia are most common in people over 65 years of age. While dementia is more common in older people, it doesn't always happen as part of ageing.

Dementia is a progressive condition — this means the symptoms get worse over time:

• If you have early-stage dementia, you may experience some changes in your thinking and memory, but will likely still function well day to day.
• If you have middle-stage dementia, the changes to your mood, memory and behaviour are more noticeable. You may start to need support from other people.
• If you have late-stage dementia, you may be unable to remember people or communicate. At this stage, you will not be able to look after yourself and are likely to need constant care.

Find out how dementia can affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Prevention of dementia

While not all cases of dementia are preventable, there are many things you can do throughout your life to help reduce your chance of getting of dementia. This includes being active, reducing how much you smoke or drink, and looking after your health. If you protect your hearing and vision, and socialise with others, that helps too.

The symptoms of dementia vary from person to person and will depend on the stage of the condition.

You might have:

• memory loss
• changes in your planning and problem-solving skills
• trouble doing everyday tasks
• changes in your mood and personality
• a lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• problems with speaking and writing
• confusion about time and place

Remember that not all memory loss is due to dementia. Speak with your doctor if you are concerned about changes to your memory or thinking skills.

There are many different causes of dementia. Some of the most common causes are:

• Alzheimer's disease — more than 1 in 2 people with dementia have Alzheimer's disease. This is believed to be caused by a build-up of certain proteins in the brain.
• vascular dementia — this is caused by restricted blood flow to the brain. It may happen after a stroke or untreated hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Lewy body disease — this is caused by a build-up of certain proteins in the brain. The proteins stop your brain cells from working properly and form clumps called Lewy bodies. Lewy body disease is a term describing dementia with Lewy bodies as well as Parkinson's disease dementia.
• frontotemporal dementia — this is caused by damage to the frontal lobe (the part of the brain that controls behaviour) or the temporal lobe (the part of the brain that controls memory and language)
• alcohol related dementia — this is a type of dementia caused by regularly drinking too much alcohol
• chronic traumatic encephalopathy — this is a type of dementia caused by repeated head injuries
• younger onset dementia (early onset dementia) — this is a type of dementia that causes symptoms in people under 65 years of age. It is caused by a rare genetic condition.
• HIV-associated dementia — some people with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) develop dementia symptoms

See your doctor if you notice any symptoms of dementia. You can also call the National Dementia Hotline (Opens in new tab) on 1800 100 500 for advice.

Some warning signs of dementia include:

• Memory loss — you might forget things that should be familiar and still don't remember them later.
• Misplacing things — you might put things in the wrong place or regularly forget where you place things.
• Difficulty with familiar tasks — you might make a meal then forget to eat it or forget how to make simple meals.
• Disorientation of time and place — you might forget how to get home.
• Problems with abstract thinking — you might find it harder to understand your finances.
• Language problems — you might forget simple words or often say the wrong word.

You should also see your doctor if you experience changes in your mood or personality:

• Changes in mood — you have rapid mood swings for no apparent reason.
• Changes in personality — you might become more suspicious, fearful, or less outgoing than before.
• Loss of initiative — you have become less interested or involved in your usual activities.

It's important not to assume you have dementia based on these symptoms alone. Other conditions can also cause dementia-like symptoms, for example:

• depression
• delirium
• thyroid problems
• side effects from the medicines
• vitamin B12 deficiency
• speech problems

Many of these other conditions can be treated by your doctor.

Diagnosing dementia early means your doctor can help you manage the condition. Early management can help with your symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

There is not a single test that shows if you have dementia.

To diagnose dementia, your doctor will talk with you about:

• your medical history
• what changes you have noticed
• how these changes are affecting your life

Your doctor may also:

• examine you
• talk to people close to you to see what changes they have noticed

Your doctor may recommend further tests, such as:

• neurological tests, to check your senses and movement
• mental tests for memory, focus and counting skills
• blood tests
• urine tests
• a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of your brain
• a computed tomography (CT) scan of your brain
• a chest x-ray

Your doctor may also refer you to a:

• geriatrician (a doctor who specialises in looking after older people)
• neurologist (a doctor who specialises in the brain)
• neuropsychologist (a psychologist with a special focus on dementia)

An early diagnosis allows you to plan ahead and get the support you need.

Learn about the different ways you can manage your life if you are diagnosed with dementia.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia. However, if you are living with dementia, there are ways to help improve your symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

General care and support

Good carers can help offer a safe and predictable environment. It's important to have carers who you can trust and who understand your needs.

It might be helpful to make changes to your home. Adapting your home can help you feel:

• less disoriented
• safe
• comfortable
• independent

An occupational therapist (OT) can do a home safety check. This can help identify ways to make your home safer and easier to use.

Medicines

While there are no medicines to cure dementia, some medicines can help with the symptoms.

Your doctor will consider the type of dementia you have and your medical history. They might suggest medicines such as:

• cholinesterase inhibitors
• memantine
• antipsychotic medicines
• antidepressant medicines
• monoclonal antibody treatments

If you take a lot of different medicines, a pharmacist can provide home medicine reviews.

Watch the video below and learn more about the therapies for dementia.

Some types of dementia are due to factors that can't be changed like genetics and family history. But other types of dementia can be prevented or slowed down.

There are many things you can do at any time of your life to help reduce your chance of dementia. They include:

• being socially and physically active
• eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight
• quitting smoking or vaping
• if you drink alcohol, drinking in moderation
• keeping your brain active
• avoiding head injuries
• reducing your exposure to air pollution where possible

It's also important to manage any other health conditions that you might have, such as:

• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• diabetes
• high cholesterol
• depression
• hearing loss
• vision loss

The most preventable form of dementia is vascular dementia. This type of dementia can be prevented by managing conditions that affect blood vessels, such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity.

Ask your doctor what you can do to prevent dementia.

Caring for someone who is living with dementia can be both demanding and rewarding.

It's important to take breaks to look after your own needs. Ask other family members and friends to give you a break from caring. You may also be able to use respite care (a temporary break for carers and the people they care for).

Planning ahead

It's wise to help the person you are caring for to plan ahead while they still have capacity. Encourage them to:

• appoint a Power of Attorney — this is a trusted person to take care of their finances once they are unable to
• write an Advanced Care Plan (Opens in new tab) — this details the healthcare they want as their dementia gets worse

Communication

People with dementia need to feel supported. Here are some ways to help people living with dementia feel supported:

• Behavioural management therapy — use simple communication to help to create a calm and predictable routine.
• Music therapy — people with dementia often remember old songs. Familiar tunes can unlock memories and feelings.
• Reminiscing — this is a way of remembering past events, for example by reading an old letter or looking at childhood photographs. It usually triggers positive memories and feelings, even if they can no longer speak.

Visit the Dementia Australia (Opens in new tab) page for information on:

• genetics and dementia (Opens in new tab)
• planning ahead if you have dementia (Opens in new tab)
• younger onset dementia (Opens in new tab)

You can also call Dementia Australia (Opens in new tab) on 1800 100 500 to speak to an experienced counsellor. They support people living with dementia and their family or carers.

Dementia Support Australia (Opens in new tab) also has a 24-hour helpline: 1800 699 799. They offer advice and support to family and friend carers of people with dementia.

Visit My Aged Care for information on:

• the Support at Home program, which can help you access services, equipment, products and home modifications so you can live at home for longer
• availability of government-funded residential respite care

Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Dementia Australia also has resources about dementia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Opens in new tab)s.

Languages other than English

Mindcare Collective (Opens in new tab) has videos in multiple languages, including topics such as:

• what is dementia (Opens in new tab)
• how to reduce your dementia risk (Opens in new tab)

Health Translations Victoria (Opens in new tab) has fact sheets on dementia for patients and carers (Opens in new tab) in languages other than English.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.