Is It Dementia or Other Conditions?
Some conditions share symptoms with dementia. Here is a comparison between dementia, mild cognitive impairment, depression, and delirium.
Debunking Myths About Dementia
There are many myths surrounding dementia. Here are some common myths that have often exacerbated the stigma of dementia and perpetuated negative stereotypes about the condition. Dementia is an illness that affects the brain and is not a natural part of ageing. It is a condition that affects the brain, leading to progressive memory loss, decline in cognitive abilities, and personality changes.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is a collection of different symptoms characterised by a progressive worsening of memory and intellect (cognitive abilities), orientation, or personality, that is caused by the diseases that affect the brain. It is not a natural part of ageing. Persons living with dementia eventually lose the ability to do things to a level that affects their daily functioning, such as working, performing daily activities, or social interaction.1 They may gradually find the following abilities challenging.
9 Differences between Normal Ageing and Dementia
Forgetfulness is not the only warning sign of dementia. Instead, it might be a result of normal ageing and not dementia. Learn how dementia is different from normal ageing. As we age, some of us may get more forgetful and require a bit more time to recall things, or even struggle to multitask. It can get a little worrying that these might be early signs of dementia. However, these can be a result of normal ageing and not dementia. The table below compares the 9 differences between signs of normal ageing and symptoms of dementia.
Dementia Signs & Symptoms
Although symptoms of dementia vary between individuals, there are some common warning signs. Every person living with dementia is unique and does not present the same symptoms. The needs and manifestations vary between individuals although there are some common symptoms.
How Dementia Changes The Brain
Knowing how dementia changes the brain, which affects dementia symptoms, helps us to understand why persons living with dementia behave the way they do. The human brain is an organ of the nervous system that controls the body’s activities, processes information received by the body, and controls psychological functions such as cognition and emotion. Changes in the condition of brain regions can cause temporary or long-lasting impairment.
How The Brain Works
Dementia can affect the entire brain. Learn how the brain works and understand how changes in specific brain regions can affect the ways dementia symptoms manifest.
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
Here are four common non-modifiable risk factors of disease that have been associated to the development of dementia. The greatest risk factor for dementia is age. Although age increases risk, dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and ageing is not itself a cause of dementia.
Modifiable Risk Factors & Lowering Risk
Although factors such as genes, gender, race, and age are not within control, there are things that can be done to reduce the risk of developing dementia. Individuals can make lifestyle changes to reduce their risks of developing dementia, and systemic societal changes can be made to reduce the incidence of dementia in a community.