September is World Alzheimer’s Month, a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the different types of dementia, how it impacts lives, and combatting the sigma and discrimination that unfortunately still exists about the condition.
In the UK, almost one million people live with dementia. This is predicted to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. It was the leading cause of death in the UK in 2023 and is estimated to cost £25 billion a year – with predictions suggesting it is set to become the costliest health condition by 2030.
We’ve all heard of dementia, and there’s a high chance you know someone who has/had it. ‘Dementia’ is actually an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect brain function. There are over 200 subtypes, the most common and well-known of which are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, but includes Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia, among many others.
Dementia most commonly affects those aged 65 and over, but it can occur at any age. If it is diagnosed before the age of 65, it’s known as ‘early onset’ or ‘young onset’ dementia. Symptoms include memory loss, confusion and problems with communication which get worse over time. As the disease advances, symptoms can broaden to include mobility issues, bladder incontinence, trouble eating or swallowing, and more profound communication, memory and psychological problems.
Dementia can be caused by a range of things, but the most common types are either caused by abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells, or by lack of blood flow to the brain, often as the result of a stroke or mini-strokes, or blockage in the blood vessels in the brain.
Research is still ongoing into exactly what’s going on in the brain when dementia is present, and while there are some medicines that can help ease some symptoms, there is currently no cure. There is no known way to prevent dementia, but there are steps that we can take to be healthier overall to try to minimise the risk, including eating healthily, stopping smoking and reducing alcohol consumption, and keeping both physically and mentally active.
Receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be overwhelming – you might feel shock, fear, sadness or like there’s no hope for the future. You might also worry about how the disease will progress and what it will mean for your life. If it is a parent or loved one who has been diagnosed, you might feel anxious about the caring role you might have to take on, or there may even be a sense of relief that there is a reason behind the symptoms.
Living with dementia can be challenging, both for the individual experiencing it, and for their family members. Not only can it make someone very vulnerable when they are confused or forgetful, but as the disease progresses, they may lose their independence and autonomy, and can become isolated from people around them.
There can be similarities between dementia and some mental health challenges in terms of how it makes you feel. You may start to lack motivation, not wanting to go out and socialise or do the things you’ve always enjoyed. You might also feel depressed or anxious, particularly if you’re feeling confused or disorientated. Dementia can also begin to affect mood and personality, causing someone to become aggressive, agitated, worried or stressed. It can be difficult for loved ones to cope with such big changes in behaviour and demeanour.
Dealing with stigma and misunderstanding adds to the challenge. There are many misconceptions and negative narratives surrounding dementia that can cause others to downplay or ridicule symptoms, become frustrated with symptomatic behaviours, make assumptions about capabilities or be afraid to communicate entirely. Individuals who have dementia may feel segregated from the rest of the world, and start to think of themselves as a burden, reducing self-esteem and confidence and potentially causing or exacerbating mental health issues.
When the disease progresses to advanced dementia, it may be too much for family members to manage alone, and it’s important to get the help that you and your loved one need.
There are many organisations who can offer support a diagnosis of a form of dementia. They provide a wealth of information about different techniques to help with communication, comfort, physical health and memory recall, and offer many resources for practical help and advice on a range of topics:
Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash
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