Dementia is an umbrella term for a number of different conditions that affect the brain. These can be caused by diseases or injuries and most often result in increasing difficulty thinking, remembering, and performing everyday tasks and activities as before.
The NHS explains dementia as “a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning”. While Alzheimer’s is the most common form, there are many different types of dementia, including rare and mixed forms too.
According to Dementia UK, “around one million people are estimated to be living with dementia in the UK, and someone develops the condition every three minutes”. This means it’s really helpful to be able to understand what dementia is, as well as the early signs and symptoms.
Crucially, it also means that, whether you are dealing with dementia yourself or caring for someone who is, it’s important to know that you are not on your own.
To help you understand a little more, here are some of the main types of dementia…
Following research by Alzheimer's Society, it’s believed that Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common type of dementia in the UK. In fact, it’s thought that 60-70% of people with dementia have Alzheimer's. A physical illness, it is a disease that causes damage to the brain.
Typically, it’s actually present in the brain years before symptoms start to show, but over time, impacts the ability to remember and think clearly.
Everyone’s journey with Alzheimer’s Disease is unique. However, the most common symptoms include memory issues, difficulty thinking and rationalising, speech problems, and mood changes.
Alzheimer's is characterised by abnorml accumulations of protein known as amyloid and tau in the brain. Age is often the biggest risk factor, and family history, genetics, and lifestyle habits follow closely behind, with people over the age of 65 most at risk of developing the condition.
For those affected, the Alzheimer's Society recommends a number of ways to seek support.
After Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia in the UK. It is slightly different to other forms of dementia as it is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. Whereas Alzheimer's, FTD, and Lewy bodies are believed to involve abnormal protein build-up, vascular dementia occurs when the brain doesn’t receive enough blood, preventing it from properly carrying out its normal functions.
According to Dementia UK, this reduced blood supply can happen as a result of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or damaged or diseased blood vessels in the brain – sometimes as a result of strokes or ‘mini strokes’. While for some the onset can be gradual, vascular dementia caused by strokes can progress more suddenly. Initially, the first symptoms can present as difficulty concentrating or decision-making, slowed thought processes, shifts in mood and behaviours and, sometimes, short-term memory problems.
Lewy bodies are clumps of protein that build up in the brain and damage nerve cells. Though it’s not fully understood why this happens, the presence of Lewy bodies can seriously affect the normal function of the brain, especially in the areas that influence thought, movement, perception and sleep. Eventually, the condition can result in either dementia with Lewy bodies, or Parkinson’s dementia. Both of these conditions involve both cognitive and motor symptoms; the main clinical distinction is timing. Dementia with Lewy bodies features dementia first or within a year of motor symptoms, whereas Parkinson's disease dementia follows preexsiting Parkinson's.
According to the NHS, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) “tends to develop slowly and get gradually worse over several years” and is also “rare in people under 65”. Though there is no single test or cure for the condition, there are some telltale symptoms which many people experience that can help to assess and identify what’s happening. These symptoms include hallucinations, problems understanding, confusion and fatigue, slow or stiff movements, tremors, unsteadiness, fainting, changes in mood, and disturbed sleep.
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a term for types of dementia that predominantly affect the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes. Like Alzheimer’s and Lewy bodies, it’s caused by a build-up of proteins in the brain. In the case of FTD, these build-ups can occur in the front and sides of the brain, affecting the areas responsible for behaviour, personality, speech, and planning. According to Dementia UK, it’s a particularly rare condition, with only one in 20 people with dementia being diagnosed with FTD.
Generally, this form of dementia first develops in people between the ages of 45 and 65 and symptoms develop more slowly over a longer timeframe. Unlike other forms of dementia, it’s not typically associated with issues such as memory loss or difficulty concentrating in the early stages. Instead, symptoms often initially manifest through changes in emotion, interest and personality, language problems, and more impulsive or inappropriate behaviour. Find support through the NHS.
Mixed dementia happens when two or more types of dementia occur at the same time. This can make it difficult to initially provide a diagnosis, and is also a crucial factor when considering care needs and requirements. A person living with mixed dementia is likely to experience a combination of symptoms which can be a daunting and overwhelming reality.
According to Dementia UK, “about 10% of people with dementia have ‘mixed dementia”. Most commonly, this occurs as a combination of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Some of the most common symptoms include forgetfulness (especially in relation to recent conversations, people and places), misplacing or losing items and belongings, and struggles with expression or communication.
If you are a caregiver and are looking for more information about referral services and financial support, there are lots of great resources for you. A consultation with a local GP is always a great way to proceed with initial advice, as well as seeking specialist support and services. This can help you diagnose types of dementia early on and implement the best care plans possible. These resources include NICE guidelines, as well as support from the NHS and Dementia UK.
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At Wisteria House, our care homes in Plymouth, including our CQC Outstanding‑rated Plymstock site. provide dedicated support for those living with dementia and their loved ones. If you are ready to speak to someone or seek additional assistance, please do get in touch today and we can help you with tailored advice and services.