Dementia

What is dementia?

Dementia is a common condition that affects one in three people over the age of 65 in the UK.

The term dementia describes a set of symptoms that usually includes loss of memory, difficulty with communication, reasoning and decision-making, changes in mood and behaviour and difficulty completing day to day activities.

Changes you may notice include:
  • Having difficulty remembering recent events or learning new information, but being able to recall things that happened in the past
  • Feeling confused or lost even when in a familiar environment
  • Forgetting the names of friends and relatives or of everyday objects
  • Finding it difficult to make decisions or plan future events
  • Losing the thread of what’s being said and needing prompts to maintain a conversation
  • Repeating things that have been said or done before
  • Losing things and thinking other people are to blame
  • Feeling irritable or upset and worrying about having memory problems
  • Needing help with looking after the house, shopping and paying the bills
  • Needing help with personal activities such as eating, washing or dressing
For factsheets about the causes of dementia, progression and drug treatments, emotional and practical support, health and social care and legal and financial information related to dementia, please visit the Alzheimer's Society website.

Factsheets in other languages are also available from the Alzheimer's Society website.

Brain tour

To understand more about the changes that occur as a result of dementia, visit the Alzheimer’s Society website and take a tour of the brain.

National dementia declaration action plan

National Dementia Declaration Action PlanWhittington Health is committed to improving the experience of people with dementia and their families who receive care within our Trust.

The national dementia declaration lists seven outcomes that every organisation is seeking to achieve for people with dementia and their carers.

Our national dementia declaration is published on the Dementia Action Alliance website.

Dementia friends campaign

Public Health England and the Alzheimer’s Society have launched a national dementia campaign, called 'dementia friends'. The campaign aims to create a more dementia friendly society and a network of people to help those who have the condition. Visit the dementia friends website to watch a film about the campaign and to find out more.
Last updated06 May 2021
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