Did you know that Dementia Australia have many resources available for consumers and their careers. Should you need any assistance please contact them directly on the National Dementia Hotline on 1800 100 500 or visit them at dementia.org.au

What is dementia?

Dementia describes a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain. It is not one specific disease. Dementia affects thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday
tasks. Brain function is affected enough to interfere with the person’s normal social or working life.

Who gets dementia?

Most people with dementia are older, but it is important to remember that not all older people get dementia. It is not a normal part of ageing. Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more
common after the age of 65 years. People in their 40s and 50s can also have dementia. For more information about younger onset dementia go to the younger onset dementia hub.

What causes dementia?

There are many different forms of dementia and each has its own causes. The most common types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular dementia, Dementia with Lewy bodies, Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD), Huntington’s disease, Alcohol related dementia (Korsakoff’s syndrome) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Is it dementia?

There are a number of conditions that produce symptoms similar to dementia. These include some vitamin and hormone deficiencies, depression, medication clashes or overmedication, infections and brain tumours.

It is essential that a medical diagnosis is obtained at an early stage when symptoms first appear, to ensure that a person who has a treatable condition is diagnosed and treated correctly. If the symptoms are caused by dementia, an early diagnosis will mean early access to support,
information, and medication should it be available.