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Dementia Action Week (16th-22nd May)
Published: Tuesday, 26 April 2022
Dementia Action Week is a national event which puts the spotlight on dementia and encourages people to take action to improve the quality of life for those that are affected.
What is dementia
Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. There are many different causes of dementia, and many different types. People often get confused about the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia and, together with vascular dementia, makes up the majority of cases.
Symptoms of dementia
Dementia symptoms may include problems with:
- memory loss
- thinking speed
- mental sharpness and quickness
- language, such as using words incorrectly, or trouble speaking
- understanding
- judgement
- mood
- movement
- difficulties doing daily activities
It's normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, certain illnesses and medicines. But if you're becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you're over the age of 65, it's a good idea to talk to a GP about the early signs of dementia. Further information can be found on the NHS website - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/about/
Dementia prevention?
There's no certain way to prevent all types of dementia, as researchers are still investigating how the condition develops. However, there's good evidence that a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing dementia when you're older. For more detailed information about the impact that a healthy lifestyle can make please visit the NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/dementia-prevention/
The Alzheimers Society - https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week
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