Several conditions can lead to dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular disease (including stroke).
Signs of dementia are unique to each person, but there will usually be:
Other conditions have symptoms similar to dementia and may be treatable, including:
Finding out the cause of the symptoms can help you to:
In the two videos below, geriatrician, Dr Jasneet Parmar talks about getting a diagnosis of dementia, the process of diagnosis and what to do if you are worried about someone's memory or your own.
If you or someone you care about is showing signs such as forgetfulness, confusion or agitation, speak to your family doctor. (If you don’t have a family doctor, you can call your local Alzheimer Society). At the end of the assessment, your family doctor may feel able to make a diagnosis, or they may request further tests to make sure. They may also want to refer the person to a memory clinic or other specialist service for a fuller assessment.
Talking to your doctor about dementia
How to get tested for dementia: Tips for individuals, families and friends