Dementia
Many people fear losing their mental powers and the risk increases as we grow older. It is estimated that 59,000 people in Scotland today suffer from dementia. Around 1,600 are under 65.

I’m hoping here to let people know what happens to those affected and what we know about the illness.

Accurate information can help reduce misplaced fears of the illness among the general public and can lead to a better understanding and a creation of a dementia friendly community.

Symptoms
The main symptom is serious loss of memory, others are losing track of time, getting lost in places they know very well and failing to recognise people known to them.
People with dementia are likely to lose their ability to reason clearly and find decision making very hard. The illness can cause personality changes and this is one of the most distressing things for the family carer and the person with dementia if they are aware of these changes.The person may also have difficulty in finding the right words, or understanding what people are saying this can lead to further confusion and a person to be misunderstood and they often can become frustrated and angry.
Eventually a person with dementia will need help with everyday activities such as washing and dressing.
Often a person with dementia will develop depression and this can and should be treated.
Most types of dementia progress gradually and people can live longer than 8 years after a diagnosis.