What is Dementia?

Dementia is a collective name for brain syndromes which affect memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion. Dementia is the main cause of disability and dependency among older individuals. Each person experiences dementia in their own way, but generally those affected eventually need help with all aspects of daily life.
Facts:
- Dementia is a term used to describe different brain disorders that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion.
- Early symptoms can include memory loss, difficulty performing familiar tasks, problems with language and changes in personality.
- There is currently no cure for dementia, but a range of support is available for people with dementia and their carers.
- Dementia knows no social, economic, or ethnic boundaries.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Other causes include fronto-temporal dementia, vascular disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Source: Alzheimer’s Disease International