Health Spotlight: Dementia

Dementia is a broad term for a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life, affecting memory, thinking, reasoning, and the ability to perform everyday tasks. It is not a specific disease, but a collection of symptoms associated with various brain disorders. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, but other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

People with dementia may experience a range of symptoms, such as:

• Memory loss
• Difficulty with communication and language
• Impaired judgment and reasoning
• Changes in mood and behaviour
• Difficulty with coordination and motor functions

Dementia is often progressive, meaning it worsens over time. While there is no cure for most types, treatments and support can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.²

Here are some general symptoms to look out for in yourself or others:

• Memory loss: Especially short-term memory.
• Difficulty communicating: Struggling to find the right words.
• Disorientation: Confusion about time or place.
• Difficulty with tasks: Trouble completing familiar tasks or handling complex activities.
• Poor judgment: Making decisions that are out of character or risky.
• Mood changes: Increased anxiety, depression, or irritability.
• Apathy: Loss of interest in activities or social interactions.
• Personality changes: Noticeable shifts in behaviour or personality.
• Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.³

Doctors use several steps to figure out if someone has dementia:

• Medical History and Check-Up: The doctor asks about your health and symptoms. They might also talk to a family member or friend.
• Thinking and Memory Tests: These tests check how well you remember things, solve problems, and use language.
• Brain and Nerve Check: The doctor looks at how your brain and nerves are working, including your memory, balance, and reflexes.
• Brain Scans:
  CT or MRI- These scans look for problems like strokes or tumours.
  PET Scans: These show how active different parts of your brain are and can spot signs of Alzheimer's.
• Blood Tests: These tests check for issues like low vitamin B-12 or thyroid problems. Sometimes, they test spinal fluid for infections or other diseases.
• Mental Health Check: A specialist checks if depression or other mental health issues are affecting your symptoms.⁴

This process helps doctors understand what's happening and how to help.

Understanding the various types of dementia, their causes, associated risks, and available treatments is crucial for providing effective care and support. Each type of dementia presents unique challenges, necessitating a personalised approach to treatment and management. Each type of dementia requires a tailored approach to treatment and care.

Medications to treat Dementia: While there is no cure for dementia, certain medications can temporarily alleviate some symptoms. Additionally, doctors may prescribe other medications to address issues related to dementia, such as depression, sleep disturbances, or irritability.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were 183,131 deaths registered in Australia in 2023. 

The following downloadable resource references 2023 figures.

Effective dementia prevention includes both general lifestyle choices and specific measures to address underlying risk factors.

General Prevention: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a balanced diet, mental stimulation, and social engagement can help reduce the risk of dementia.

Specific Prevention: Managing cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., controlling blood pressure and cholesterol) can help prevent vascular dementia. Avoiding smoking and reducing alcohol consumption can also lower the risk.⁵

Supporting individuals with dementia involves a range of strategies, including caregiver education, access to community services, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

• Caregiver Support: Education and resources for caregivers to manage the challenges of dementia care.

• Community Services: Access to support groups, respite care, and other community resources.

• Healthy Lifestyle: Encouraging a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental stimulation.⁶

Dementia is a complex and progressive condition that significantly impacts individuals and their families. While there is currently no cure, early diagnosis, effective management, and comprehensive support can greatly improve the quality of life for those affected. By promoting awareness, advancing research, and fostering supportive communities, we can work towards better outcomes and hope for future advancements in dementia care and prevention.

1. Causes of Death, Australia.Australian Bureau of Statistics, October 2024

2. Dementia facts and figures. Dementia Australia, February 2025

3. Early warning signs of dementia.Dementia Australia, October 2024

4. Dementia - Diagnosis and treatment.Mayo Clinic

5. Dementia Prevention: Reduce Your Risk, Starting Now. Johns Hopkins Medicine

6. Home Life. Dementia Australia, November 2024

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