Dementia

Conditions we treat

Dementia

What is dementia?

Dementia is a term to describe various types of cognitive impairment, including:

Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Huntington's disease

These disorders can lead to a loss of cognitive functioning - thinking, remembering and reasoning. Eventually, this can interfere with a person’s daily life and activities which unfortunately can be very difficult to live with for both the sufferer and those who care for them.

Finding effective ways to improve everyday quality of life is important.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

Memory loss is one of the most common and distinct signs of dementia, especially lapses in short-term memory however there are some additional signs. These include:

Difficulty finding the right words
Lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern
Repeating oneself
Confusion
Mood swings
Difficulty following storylines
Directional challenges
Difficulty with change or altered environments
Losing balance and problems with movement
Acting impulsively

Dementia is usually marked by the increase in frequency or severity of these experiences.

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How is dementia diagnosed?

There is no test that can determine whether someone has dementia. However, a doctor can perform assessments on attention, memory, problem solving and other cognitive abilities to see if there is cause for concern. A physical exam, blood tests and brain scans like a CT or MRI can help to determine a possible underlying cause.

How is dementia treated?

There is no treatment currently available that can cure dementia, however doctors can help you manage symptoms particularly agitation and other emotional concerns. The main goals for dementia care are:

Early diagnosis in order to promote early and optimal management
Optimising physical health, cognition, activity and well-being
Identifying and treating accompanying physical illness
Understanding and managing behaviour changes
Providing information and long-term support

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