 Dementia is not a single disease or mental illness. It's an umbrella term to describe a collection of symptoms that some people experience that impact body and brain function. This is including but not limited to Alzheimers disease.
Dementia is categorised by “abnormal” brain changes that bring about issues such as memory loss, mood swings, a decline in cognitive ability and the ability to function independently. Types of Dementia Alzheimer's disease: The most prevalent form, characterised by brain cell damage and protein deposits (plaques and tangles) Vascular dementia: Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often due to stroke or other vascular problems. Lewy body dementia: Involves the accumulation of Lewy bodies, protein clumps, in the brain, leading to cognitive and motor symptoms. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD): Affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, causing changes in personality, behaviour, and language. Mixed dementia: A combination of two or more types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's and vascular Dementia. Your diagnostic healthcare practitioner will provide you with information (at your request) regarding which type of dementia you might have, and should arrange a follow up appointment with you. According to www.alz.org, “Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60%-80% of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs because of microscopic bleeding and blood vessel blockage in the brain, is the second most common cause of dementia. Those who experience the brain changes of multiple types of dementia simultaneously have mixed dementia. There are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of cognitive impairment but that aren’t dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Dementia is often incorrectly labelled as “going senile”. This is a misconception that memory loss and cognitive decline is a normal part of getting older. Symptoms and signs of dementia Signs of dementia can vary greatly. Examples include problems with:
Symptoms start slowly and typically increase in frequency and severity. The timeframe for this is different for everyone. This progression is very frightening for care-givers and usually leads to seeking out medical help, such as a diagnosis. If you are concerned about a loved one, don’t delay in seeking answers. There are lots of treatable medical conditions with the same symptoms. Having said that, early diagnosis of dementia ensures you can obtain the treatments and support to maximise quality of life for both your loved one and yourself as a caregiver. Causes Different types of dementia are due to different types of brain cell damage in the brain. In Alzheimer's disease, high levels of certain proteins in the brain cells make it hard to function normally. The brain region called the hippocampus is the centre of learning and memory in the brain. This is commonly the first area to experience damage. This causes memory loss. Diagnosis There are lots of different tests that help lead to a diagnosis of dementia. The first port of call is your GP. They will likely ask you questions about you or your loved one about their ability to take care of themselves such as getting dressed, cooking, shopping or paying bills on time. Keeping a diary of symptoms can be helpful. If your GP is unable to rule out any other conditions that may be causing the problems you are experiencing, they might refer you or your loved on to a dementia specialist. A conformation of dementia is something most people are very frightened of. Here’s the offical guidance from the NHS (as of May 2025): “After you've had the necessary tests (or sometimes before the tests), your doctor should ask if you want to know your diagnosis. They should explain what having dementia might mean for you and give you time to talk about the condition and ask questions. Unless you decide otherwise, your doctor, or a member of their team, should talk to you and your family or carer about:
Your feelings after a diagnosis A dementia diagnosis takes a massive emotional toll on the person and their loved ones. You may feel that you need a lot of time to process the information, as it often comes with feelings of grief. A person recently diagnosed with dementia is likely to experience a huge range of emotions. These may include but are not limited to shock, grief, loss, anger, fear and/or disbelief. Sometimes people experience positive reactions when they receive a diagnosis of dementia. They can feel relieved to know what is wrong or be glad to be able to plan ahead. It is completely normal to struggle to deal with these emotions and to need outside help to navigate your way through this different way of living. Thinking about the future may be very frightening for a person with dementia as well as their friends and family. They may feel afraid about the future, scared about moments of confusion or upset about the impact dementia has on their nearest and dearest. The confirmation of a diagnosis may trigger depression and anxiety in some people. There are a number of talking therapies and drug treatments available to relieve some of the symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. It is important that both the person with dementia and those around them feel able to express their feelings and seek out support - such as our free coffee mornings - to be around people who truly understand and can validate your feelings, experiences and reach out when you are having a harder day than usual. Become a Dementia Experience member for free today & visit our local dementia coffee mornings in Kent: www.dementia-experience.co.uk UK -wide dementia helplines
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AuthorClara Hebblethwaite; Founder of The Dementia Experience Archives
November 2025
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