What it is
The biggest risk factor is age, and it is more common in people over 65. Family history, heart and blood vessel health and hearing loss also play a part.
There is no cure yet, but medicines can help some symptoms for a time. Support for the person and their carers, planning ahead and staying active matter a great deal.
Common signs
- Forgetting recent conversations or events, repeating questions
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Difficulty finding words, planning or making decisions
- Changes in mood or behaviour
How it is usually diagnosed
- Memory and thinking tests at a memory clinic
- Blood tests to rule out other causes, such as thyroid or vitamin B12 problems
- A brain scan (CT or MRI), and sometimes specialist tests
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Memory clinic reports and test scores over time
- Brain scan reports
- A current list of medicines
- Care plans, legal documents such as power of attorney, and contacts for carers
Questions to ask your doctor
- Which type of dementia is it, and how is it likely to progress?
- Are there medicines that could help?
- What support is available for the family and carers?
- What should we plan for now, while decisions can be shared?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Sudden confusion or a sudden change in behaviour (it may be an infection or another illness)
- Signs of a stroke: face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech
- A fall with a head injury
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.