DementiaRoadmap

Promoting living well with dementia across Scotland

Understanding dementia

The word dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language.

Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or a series of strokes or can be associated with other conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or Down syndrome.

Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. Dementia affects each individual in different ways and different dementia subtypes will have varying symptoms.

It is possible to live well with dementia with the right support in place. Alzheimer Scotland National Dementia Advisor Service is here to help you, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Call 0300 3735774 or email ndas@alzscot.org. Out with these times, you can contact the free 24-hour Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000.

Information
Services

Information

  • Trauma Informed ApproachIt is important to acknowledge the relationship between trauma and dementia and the ways trauma might impact someone living with dementia. The National Trauma Transformation Programme provides a range of resources and we would like to highlight two in particular: The first one is Opening ...
  • Let’s Talk About Dementia and Down’s SyndromeLet’s Talk About Dementia and Down's Syndrome - An easy read booklet about Dementia for adults with Down’s Syndrome
  • Cancer and DementiaCancer and Dementia - This link provides useful information and advice for anyone affected by dementia and cancer, as provided by Macmillan
  • SIGN GuidelinesThe guideline covers: the identification and diagnosis of dementia, investigative procedures, post-diagnostic support, non-pharmacological distressed behaviours, grief and dementia, the changing needs of people with dementia, and palliative approaches.
  • Stress and DementiaInformation about the link between stress and dementia
  • Dementia ToolkitDementia Toolkit for assessment, diagnosis, care and support for people with dementia and their carers developed by Improvement Scotland / Right Decision Service
  • Tips for Eating and DrinkingTips on eating and drinking for people with dementia and their family and friends
  • The Many Faces of DementiaThis online course enables you to gain a unique insight into dementia through the stories, symptoms and science behind four less common diagnoses of dementia, the people involved and the implications of these for our wider understanding.
  • Delirium awareness videoDelirium in older adults often goes unrecognised by health care professionals and can be poorly managed. This video was produced with the aim of improving recognition and management of delirium in any healthcare setting.
  • Women and Dementia: A global research overviewThis report published by Alzheimer’s Disease International explores the main issues affecting women in relation to dementia from an international perspective.
  • Women’s experiences of dementiaThe 'Women's experiences of dementia' website contains a wealth of stories which highlight the experiences of women affected by dementia.
  • Younger people with dementiaThis factsheet published by the Alzheimer's Society explores at the types of dementia that younger people under 65 years of age may have, some of the difficulties that they might experience and where support can be found.
  • Information about Lewy Body DementiaThis information published by the Lewy Body Society aims to help people with Lewy body dementia (LBD), their families and health care professionals learn more about the disease and find ways and resources to help them cope with it.
  • The Sound Doctor: Getting the best out of life with dementiaA series of films providing information to families living with dementia through the entertaining medium of TV/Film.
  • Women and dementia: A marginalised majorityThis report published by Alzheimer's Research UK reveals that dementia has become the leading cause of death among British women and that women are far more likely to end up as carers of those with dementia than men, suffering physical and emotional stress and job losses in the process.
  • What causes dementia?Dementia is the result of brain cells being damaged in an ongoing way. This happens as a result of a number of different diseases (sometimes referred to as ‘types’ of dementia). It is not an inevitable part of ageing.
  • What is dementia?This resource will help practitioners to understand that dementia is more than just difficulties with memory. Dementia is not a single disease but a term used to describe a group of symptoms.
  • The dementia guideThis guide produced by the Alzheimer's Society is for anyone who has recently been told they have dementia.
  • Improving Dementia Education and Awareness (IDEA)This online resource managed by the University of Nottingham is aimed at improving the care and quality of life for people with dementia.
  • Frontotemporal dementiaThis article published in the British Medical Journal highlights some of the issues pertinent to Frontotemporal dementia, a clinically and pathologically heterogeneous group of non-Alzheimer dementias characterised collectively by relatively selective, progressive atrophy involving the frontal or temporal lobes, or both.
  • Dementia and aggressive behaviourThis factsheet produced by the Alzheimer's Society aims to aid understanding about what may cause this type of behaviour and offers some ways to deal with it.
  • Sight, perception and hallucinations in dementiaThis Alzheimer's Society factsheet considers some specific difficulties that people with dementia can have with sight, perception and hallucinations, and suggests ways to support them.
  • Ten tips for communicating with a person with dementiaThese top tips produced by the Family Caregiver Alliance will help practitioners and those caring for a person with dementia to improve communication skills and ability to handle the difficult behaviour.
  • Moving and walking aboutThis Alzheimer's Society factsheet explains some of the reasons why a person with dementia may walk about and looks at what you can do to help.
  • What is Alzheimer’s disease?Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting around 496,000 people in the UK. This Alzheimer's Society factsheet outlines the symptoms and risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, and describes what treatments are currently available.
  • The later stages of dementiaDuring the later stages of dementia most people will become increasingly frail due to the progression of the illness. They will also gradually become dependent on others for all of their care.
  • Drugs used to relieve behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementiaThis factsheet produced by the Alzheimer’s Society explores the different types of drugs that can be used to treat these symptoms if non-pharmalogical treatments have not worked.
  • What is vascular dementia?Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. This Alzheimer's Society factsheet outlines the causes, symptoms and treatments available for vascular dementia.
  • Understanding and respecting the person with dementiaThis factsheet produced by the Alzheimer’s Society explores ways that carers can help people living with dementia to feel valued and good about themselves.
  • Unusual behaviourThis factsheet produced by the Alzheimer’s Society outlines some typical sorts of unusual behaviour in people with dementia and explains some common causes.
  • Services for younger people with DementiaPeople who develop early onset dementia in their 40s, 50s or early 60s, or sometimes younger, often have different needs from older people. Alzheimer Scotland provides specialist support, activities and groups for people with dementia under 65 in some areas. Visit the links in this page to find out what is available in your area.
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Services