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What is Dementia?

alzheimers

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of conditions that affect how well our brains work. It can affect anyone, and as people get older the chances of developing dementia increases.

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease - which around two-thirds of people with dementia have.

The symptoms each person experiences depends on the parts of the brain that are affected. However, the most common dementia symptoms include changes in memory, thinking, behaviour, personality and emotions. These changes affect a person's ability to perform everyday tasks and interfere with their everyday lives.

Dementia is progressive, which means that for most people the changes gradually spread through the brain and lead to the symptoms getting worse. Dementia is different for everyone - what people experience, and how quickly they are affected is unique to them. What they can do, remember and understand may change from day to day.

Find out what support is available.

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