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What is dementia?
The word ‘dementia’ describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language and sometimes changes in mood or behaviour. These changes are often small to start with, but for someone with dementia they have become serious enough to affect daily life. Common symptoms include having problems with:
- Day to day memory – for example, forgetting things that recently happened
- Concentrating, planning or organising – for example, making decisions or carrying out a sequence of tasks, such as cooking a meal
- Language – for example, with following a conversation or finding the right word for something
- Navigating and finding your way around
- Orientation – for example, losing track of the day or date or becoming confused about where you are.
These changes can be gradual and people can live well with dementia for many years. Every person with dementia will experience it differently, and will depend on many things, such as the type of dementia and whether there are other health conditions.