Dementia by Dr Alex Kakoullis, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust

What is dementia?

Dementia is a sickness in the brain. It makes it hard for people to think, remember, or talk.

People with dementia may have trouble doing everyday things. They might forget names or lose things a lot.

Helpful things can be pictures, stories, or asking friends for help. It is good to be patient and kind to people with dementia.

What are the first signs of dementia?

Dementia is a problem with the brain. Here are some signs someone might have dementia:

• Forgetting things.
• Getting confused about time or place.
• Having trouble talking to others.
• Finding it hard to do daily tasks.
• Losing things and not knowing where they are.

If you notice these signs, tell a doctor. They can help. It can also help to write things down or use pictures to remember.

How do doctors find out if someone has dementia?

Doctors can do some tests to see if a person has dementia. Here is what happens:

• Talking to the person: A doctor will ask questions about how the person is feeling. They may ask about memory and thinking problems.
• Talking to family or friends: The doctor may talk to someone who knows the person well. They can share what changes they have seen.
• Memory tests: The doctor will give puzzles or questions to check the person’s memory and thinking.
• Physical check-up: The doctor will see if anything else might be causing problems, like an illness or medication.
• Scans or pictures of the brain: Sometimes doctors take pictures of the brain to see more details.

These steps help the doctor understand what is happening and decide if it might be dementia.

Can we stop dementia?

Dementia is a sickness that makes it hard to remember things. We can't always stop it, but there are ways to lower the risk.

Here are some things that might help:

• Eat healthy foods like fruits and veggies.
• Exercise regularly, like walking or playing sports.
• Keep your brain busy with puzzles and games.
• Visit the doctor for check-ups.
• Avoid smoking and too much alcohol.

If you need help, you can ask a family member or a doctor. They can give you more advice.

What treatments can help people with dementia?

Dementia is a sickness that makes it hard to remember things, think clearly, or do everyday tasks.

Doctors and nurses can help people with dementia feel better. They give medicines and care to make it easier.

Here are some things that can help people with dementia:

• Medicines: Some pills can help with memory problems.
• Activities: Doing puzzles, drawing, or listening to music can be fun.
• Talking: Chatting with friends or family can make you happy.
• Routines: Doing things at the same time every day can help you remember.
• Tools: Using reminders, like sticky notes or phone alarms, can be useful.

It is important to talk to a doctor or nurse to find what helps you best.

How does dementia change over time?

Dementia is a sickness that makes it hard to remember things and think clearly. It gets worse slowly. This means it changes over a long time.

At first, someone might forget small things, like where they put their keys. Later, they might have more trouble, like forgetting names or how to get home.

As time goes on, people with dementia might need more help. They might not be able to do things they used to do, like cooking or dressing.

It is important to visit a doctor. Family and friends can help too.

Using tools like reminders, notes, and pictures can make things easier. Having routines, or doing things the same way every day, also helps.

Can you get dementia from your family?

Some kinds of dementia can run in families. This means you might get it if family members have it. But not always. It is a good idea to talk to a doctor if you are worried.

If you want to learn more, you can use pictures to help understand. Or ask someone you trust to explain it to you.

How are dementia and Alzheimer's disease different?

Dementia and Alzheimer's are problems with the brain. They make it hard to remember things and think clearly.

Dementia is when the brain starts having trouble. This can be caused by different kinds of problems.

Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia. It's one specific disease in the brain.

To help understand better, you can use pictures, talk with someone who knows about it, or read simple books.

How can I help someone with dementia?

Dementia can make it hard for people to remember things and think clearly. Here are some ways you can help them:

• Talk clearly: Use simple words and speak slowly.
• Be patient: Give them time to understand and answer.
• Use pictures: Show pictures to help them remember.
• Stay calm: If they get upset, stay calm and talk gently.
• Help with daily tasks: Do things like cooking or cleaning together.

By doing these things, you can make them feel better and safer. You can also look for support groups that help people with dementia and their families.

What can make someone more likely to get dementia?

Dementia is when the brain has trouble thinking, remembering, and making decisions. Some things can make it more likely for someone to get dementia. Here’s a list of things that can increase the risk:

• Age: Getting older can increase the chance.
• Family History: If your family members have had dementia, your risk might be higher.
• Health: Problems like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure can add to the risk.
• Lifestyle: Not exercising, eating unhealthy food, and smoking can make the risk bigger.

Doing things to stay healthy can help lower the risk. Try eating good food, moving your body, and not smoking. Visiting the doctor for check-ups is important too!

Tools to help:

• Use a calendar to remember important dates.
• Write lists for grocery shopping or tasks.
• Play memory games to keep your brain active.
• Talk to a friend or family member if you’re worried about your memory.

Can the food we eat affect memory problems?

Good food is important for everyone. It can help us stay strong and healthy. Some people want to know if what we eat can help with memory problems, like dementia.

Here are some tips that might help:

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. They are good for us.
• Fish is good for the brain. Try to eat fish sometimes.
• Drink plenty of water. Our brains need water to work well.
• Avoid too much sugar and fatty foods. These are not good for our brains.

Using pictures and charts can make it easier to understand how to eat healthy. You can also ask for help from a doctor or a dietitian if you're unsure what to eat.

How Does Exercise Help People with Dementia?

Exercise is good for people with dementia. Here is how it helps:

• Better Mood: Exercise can make people feel happier.
• Stronger Body: It helps keep muscles and bones strong.
• Calm Mind: Exercise can help people feel less worried.
• More Energy: Moving around gives more energy for the day.
• Better Sleep: Exercise can help people sleep better at night.

Try simple exercises like walking or dancing. You can also do chair exercises.

Ask someone to join you when you exercise. It is more fun with a friend!

Can people who help someone with dementia get support in the UK?

What are the types of dementia?

Can using your brain stop memory problems?

Using your brain a lot can be good. It might help stop memory problems when you get older. Doing puzzles, reading, or learning new things can help keep your brain healthy.

Here are some ways to keep your brain active:

• Play memory games.
• Read books or stories.
• Do puzzles, like crosswords or Sudoku.
• Learn new things, like songs or languages.

You can ask a friend or family member to help you. There are also things like audiobooks or learning apps that might help you.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a sickness in the brain. It makes it hard for people to think, remember, or talk.

People with dementia may have trouble doing everyday things. They might forget names or lose things a lot.

Helpful things can be pictures, stories, or asking friends for help. It is good to be patient and kind to people with dementia.

What are the first signs of dementia?

Dementia is a problem with the brain. Here are some signs someone might have dementia:

• Forgetting things.
• Getting confused about time or place.
• Having trouble talking to others.
• Finding it hard to do daily tasks.
• Losing things and not knowing where they are.

If you notice these signs, tell a doctor. They can help. It can also help to write things down or use pictures to remember.

How do doctors find out if someone has dementia?

Doctors can do some tests to see if a person has dementia. Here is what happens:

• Talking to the person: A doctor will ask questions about how the person is feeling. They may ask about memory and thinking problems.
• Talking to family or friends: The doctor may talk to someone who knows the person well. They can share what changes they have seen.
• Memory tests: The doctor will give puzzles or questions to check the person’s memory and thinking.
• Physical check-up: The doctor will see if anything else might be causing problems, like an illness or medication.
• Scans or pictures of the brain: Sometimes doctors take pictures of the brain to see more details.

These steps help the doctor understand what is happening and decide if it might be dementia.

Can we stop dementia?

Dementia is a sickness that makes it hard to remember things. We can't always stop it, but there are ways to lower the risk.

Here are some things that might help:

• Eat healthy foods like fruits and veggies.
• Exercise regularly, like walking or playing sports.
• Keep your brain busy with puzzles and games.
• Visit the doctor for check-ups.
• Avoid smoking and too much alcohol.

If you need help, you can ask a family member or a doctor. They can give you more advice.

What treatments can help people with dementia?

Dementia is a sickness that makes it hard to remember things, think clearly, or do everyday tasks.

Doctors and nurses can help people with dementia feel better. They give medicines and care to make it easier.

Here are some things that can help people with dementia:

• Medicines: Some pills can help with memory problems.
• Activities: Doing puzzles, drawing, or listening to music can be fun.
• Talking: Chatting with friends or family can make you happy.
• Routines: Doing things at the same time every day can help you remember.
• Tools: Using reminders, like sticky notes or phone alarms, can be useful.

It is important to talk to a doctor or nurse to find what helps you best.

How does dementia change over time?

Dementia is a sickness that makes it hard to remember things and think clearly. It gets worse slowly. This means it changes over a long time.

At first, someone might forget small things, like where they put their keys. Later, they might have more trouble, like forgetting names or how to get home.

As time goes on, people with dementia might need more help. They might not be able to do things they used to do, like cooking or dressing.

It is important to visit a doctor. Family and friends can help too.

Using tools like reminders, notes, and pictures can make things easier. Having routines, or doing things the same way every day, also helps.

Can you get dementia from your family?

Some kinds of dementia can run in families. This means you might get it if family members have it. But not always. It is a good idea to talk to a doctor if you are worried.

If you want to learn more, you can use pictures to help understand. Or ask someone you trust to explain it to you.

How are dementia and Alzheimer's disease different?

Dementia and Alzheimer's are problems with the brain. They make it hard to remember things and think clearly.

Dementia is when the brain starts having trouble. This can be caused by different kinds of problems.

Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia. It's one specific disease in the brain.

To help understand better, you can use pictures, talk with someone who knows about it, or read simple books.

How can I help someone with dementia?

Dementia can make it hard for people to remember things and think clearly. Here are some ways you can help them:

• Talk clearly: Use simple words and speak slowly.
• Be patient: Give them time to understand and answer.
• Use pictures: Show pictures to help them remember.
• Stay calm: If they get upset, stay calm and talk gently.
• Help with daily tasks: Do things like cooking or cleaning together.

By doing these things, you can make them feel better and safer. You can also look for support groups that help people with dementia and their families.

What can make someone more likely to get dementia?

Dementia is when the brain has trouble thinking, remembering, and making decisions. Some things can make it more likely for someone to get dementia. Here’s a list of things that can increase the risk:

• Age: Getting older can increase the chance.
• Family History: If your family members have had dementia, your risk might be higher.
• Health: Problems like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure can add to the risk.
• Lifestyle: Not exercising, eating unhealthy food, and smoking can make the risk bigger.

Doing things to stay healthy can help lower the risk. Try eating good food, moving your body, and not smoking. Visiting the doctor for check-ups is important too!

Tools to help:

• Use a calendar to remember important dates.
• Write lists for grocery shopping or tasks.
• Play memory games to keep your brain active.
• Talk to a friend or family member if you’re worried about your memory.

Can the food we eat affect memory problems?

Good food is important for everyone. It can help us stay strong and healthy. Some people want to know if what we eat can help with memory problems, like dementia.

Here are some tips that might help:

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. They are good for us.
• Fish is good for the brain. Try to eat fish sometimes.
• Drink plenty of water. Our brains need water to work well.
• Avoid too much sugar and fatty foods. These are not good for our brains.

Using pictures and charts can make it easier to understand how to eat healthy. You can also ask for help from a doctor or a dietitian if you're unsure what to eat.

How Does Exercise Help People with Dementia?

Exercise is good for people with dementia. Here is how it helps:

• Better Mood: Exercise can make people feel happier.
• Stronger Body: It helps keep muscles and bones strong.
• Calm Mind: Exercise can help people feel less worried.
• More Energy: Moving around gives more energy for the day.
• Better Sleep: Exercise can help people sleep better at night.

Try simple exercises like walking or dancing. You can also do chair exercises.

Ask someone to join you when you exercise. It is more fun with a friend!

Can people who help someone with dementia get support in the UK?

What are the types of dementia?

Can using your brain stop memory problems?

Using your brain a lot can be good. It might help stop memory problems when you get older. Doing puzzles, reading, or learning new things can help keep your brain healthy.

Here are some ways to keep your brain active:

• Play memory games.
• Read books or stories.
• Do puzzles, like crosswords or Sudoku.
• Learn new things, like songs or languages.

You can ask a friend or family member to help you. There are also things like audiobooks or learning apps that might help you.