Dementia
Learn about the early stages of dementia and what to expect over time. You’ll also find guidance and personal stories about caring for yourself or a loved one.
How can we help you?
Understanding dementia symptoms
Symptoms that seem like dementia but aren’t
From confusion to anxiety, we explore symptoms that can appear with age.
Is it age-related memory loss or dementia?
We’ll walk you through what patterns to look out for to help you tell the difference.
The difference between dementia and Alzheimers
Understand what Alzheimers is and how this can lead to a dementia diagnosis.
How to look out for the early signs of dementia
Symptoms can appear slowly or very fast and may match a certain type of dementia.
Getting a diagnosis and further advice
What to do if you spot symptoms
Many things can impact your memory, and a GP may be able to reassure you that it isn’t dementia.
But if it is, getting a diagnosis and starting treatment early can make a big difference.
Organisations that can help you
There are a number of great charities and organisations who can help you through your own diagnosis, or a loved one’s.
Carers Trust - Find support services local to you. They can support you through your diagnosis, or help if you’re caring for a loved one.
Dementia UK - Offering family-based support and practical, legal and financial guidance. Plus stories from those living with dementia, and advice on staying safe at home.
Alzheimer’s Society - Guidance on daily living, care services and legal and financial advice. Find support groups and dementia services near you.
Support if your loved one has dementia
What happens after a dementia diagnosis
This can be overwhelming for the whole family. Learn about different ways to cope and how to approach what’s next.
Getting emotional, financial and legal support
From details on how to speak to your local council and what helplines are available to you. We can advise on care too.
How to look after yourself as a carer
If you’re well and healthy, you’ll be in a better position to support your loved one. We’ve got tips on where to start.
Dementia
Caring for someone with dementia at home
Self-help | Practical support | Real story
Watch in 2 mins
If you’re caring for a loved one, we have tips about creating a dementia-friendly home and helping them with everyday routines.
This is my dad Michael. He got diagnosed with dementia when he was 57, so very early on. I cared for him at home for five years.
It was obviously really difficult because I worked full time as well. Due to the nature of the dementia every day was different for dad - so some days were really positive, really good days, where he was quite independent doing things for himself. And other days were really difficult days, really emotional days for dad, which was obviously more difficult for us, caring for him. But as the dementia progressed, dad got worse and worse with things that he could do independently, on his own, so then we were having to do more and more things. Day to day things; washing him, cooking for him. I think it's really difficult because obviously you want to care for the person that you're looking after and you always put their needs before your own.
But then generally just trying to have an hour a day that was just to yourself really, whether it be having a bath or reading a book, or even just going to bed an hour early. Just something that you did for yourself, just an hour every day.
There are Admiral nurses all over the country and they're affiliated with Dementia UK. But also people like social services can be really helpful. I advise people to join local clubs, you know, get down to the library and find out where things are going on. Even things like the Alzheimer's Society, or dementia cafes like we've got here, so you're meeting other people that are going through the same situation, that will understand and support you. So I think it's really important for them to do that, and to do things like eating well and trying to stay as healthy as possible. We started attending a dementia cafe once a fortnight. That was really good because it was a social time for the people who've got dementia, but then it was also a good time for us as carers to get together and just to support each other basically.
Dementia
Having a loved one with dementia
Diagnosis | Behaviour | Real story
Watch in 3 mins
Susan talks to us about her experiences of her father being diagnosed with dementia, including how his behaviour changed and how both she and her family adjusted their lives.
Keeping them involved in things in day-to-day life as much as possible, so you know, small tasks that are manageable around the home, so that someone doesn't feel like they're useless now that they can't do anything.
So keeping them involved in day-to-day tasks, but reminiscence, you know, looking at things like old photograph albums, because it's really important for someone with dementia to feel like the things that they're remembering are correct.
So if you're reminiscing, those memories are usually crystal clear, you know real historical stuff, so getting things like the wedding album out, and even looking back at old holiday books, and brochures about places that you've been, and postcards you know, they're really important to look at historical things, because it makes somebody feel like their memory is really good because those ones are a really crystal clear. We did have some stop signs on the doors, to stop dad from going out. And we did have a special Sky remote that we used, that just remembered some of dad's favourite channels, because he liked watching TV a lot at home.
Deciding on the right treatment for you
It can be a very emotional decision, but sometimes care is the safest option for loved ones with dementia. It can even improve their quality of life, and yours.
If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help. You’ll get free advice on anything from funding to finding just the right home.
Call us on 0370 218 4495^
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This information was published by Bupa's Health Content Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals and deemed accurate on the date of review. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition.
Any information about a treatment or procedure is generic, and does not necessarily describe that treatment or procedure as delivered by Bupa or its associated providers.
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