This chapter provides a basic introduction to dementia. It focuses on the everyday impacts of living with dementia on both the person with the condition and their carers. It is important to stress that this book is not intended to provide detailed medical knowledge about dementia. There are useful resources listed in the annotated bibliography that go into greater detail about possible risk factors, symptoms, treatments and so forth should you require more information on these topics from reputable sources.

One of the difficulties of designing services for people living with dementia is that their symptoms, the ways in which their daily lives are affected and the types of support they need can vary hugely. Dementia is an umbrella term that includes a number of conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. The term ‘dementia’ describes a set of symptoms that often include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language, as well as changes in mood and behaviour. The specific symptoms that people with dementia experience depend on which parts of the brain are affected and the underlying disease that is causing the dementia.

A person with dementia is likely to experience some of the following cognitive symptoms:

• • changes in day-to-day memory, for example, recalling recent events

• • difficulties completing or initiating everyday tasks, in particular planning, organising and decision-making

• • issues with communication, for example, following a conversation or finding the right word

• • challenges with visuospatial skills, such as judging distances

• • problems with orientation, for example becoming confused about where they are, even in a familiar space.

They may also experience changes in mood or behaviour, for example becoming frustrated, apathetic, anxious, withdrawn or easily upset. With some types of dementia, people may experience hallucinations or delusions – strongly believing things that are not true. In the later stages of dementia in particular, people can experience physical symptoms such as weight loss and muscle weakness, as well changes in sleep patterns and appetite.

The conditions that cause dementia are usually progressive and symptoms get more severe over time.