After a diagnosis, you’ll want to seek out information that helps you understand dementia, its symptoms, and how you can best support a loved one through their own journey with dementia.
The information below has been compiled by Dr Chris Perkins, author of Dementia: What You Need to Know. It reflects the evidence-based practice and understandings of the symptoms of dementia.
We have provided this information as a general starting point. However, it is important to remember that everyone’s journey with dementia will be different. We recommend arranging a time to speak to your own trusted health professional who can help you manage your own personal situation.
This is a good place to start to help you understand dementia – what it is, who gets it and its common forms, as well as some early signs to keep an eye out for.
What should you look out for? And when should you be concerned? Use this information to understand the early signs of dementia, and how a diagnosis is determined.
The impact of a dementia diagnosis can be wide reaching. This information is designed for the support network of someone diagnosed with dementia, and is a good place to start if you’re wondering about the best way to support your loved one.
Communication may become one of the most obvious challenges in a journey with dementia. These are some recommended strategies to help carers and family members to interact more effectively with loved ones.
While everyone is different, it’s likely you may experience behavior that may challenge other people. With some practical strategies you’ll be better prepared to understand and manage new behavior.
Taking care of financial and legal affairs early can make a huge difference later on. Here are some tips on how to organise financial and legal affairs and the people or organisations who can help.
What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia? This help sheet has more information on Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, as well as its causes, progression and treatment.
Lewy Body disease (also known as Lewy Body dementia) is a form of dementia with particular characteristics making it different from other dementias. This help sheet outlines some important information you should know.
Vascular dementia is a specific type of dementia. This help sheet outlines the types of vascular dementia, and their causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Frontotemporal dementia is an umbrella term for a group of disorders affecting the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. We’ve put together more information on its different forms, as well as some helpful information related to these disorders.
Alcohol related dementia and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome are different to other dementia disorders. This help sheet talks through their causes, symptoms and treatment.
Younger onset, or early onset dementia, is a diagnosis under the age of 65. This help sheet covers some helpful information, in particular around the importance of a correct diagnosis and caring for someone with younger onset dementia.
Managing a dementia diagnosis alongside an intellectual disability such as Down Syndrome presents unique challenges. Get an understanding of the link between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease and find out where to find additional support.
With an understanding and simple strategies in place, it’s easier to manage disinhibited behaviours when they occur. Get an understanding disinhibited behaviours, the causes, and strategies for carers and family members in this help sheet.
Not everyone will have these symptoms, but it can be helpful to understand some of the causes of hallucinations delusions, paranoia, and confabulation – and how families and carers can deal with them.