Dementia is an umbrella term or a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes which affect memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion, which affects a person’s ability to perform normal daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
Symptoms may include:
- loss of memory
- difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying
- difficulty in performing previously routine tasks
- personality and mood changes
Dementia occurs primarily in people who are over the age of 65, or in those with an injury or disease that affects brain function. While dementia is most commonly seen in the elderly, it is not a normal consequence of the aging process.
Dementia over the age of 65 is known as older onset dementia and under the age of 65 as younger onset dementia (YOD) All age groups go through the early stage of dementia. With a few exceptions, it is a terminal illness; please speak to your health care professional or physician to discuss this further.
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or for most other causes of dementia at present, many of the problems associated with dementia such as restlessness and depression can be treated. It may also be possible, especially in the early stages of dementia, to improve someone’s memory with medication.
The following links will lead you to more detailed information, and support in your own country.
Alzheimer’s Disease International
Younger Onset Dementia Association
Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation
Frontier: Neuroscience Research Australia
National Alzheimer’s Association (USA)
The Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Blog
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