DementiaRoadmap Wales

This resource will help practitioners to understand that dementia is more than just difficulties with memory. Dementia is not a single disease but a term used to describe a group of symptoms.

The main symptoms include:

• memory difficulties
• mood changes
• confusion and problems with communication
• problems with perception, and
• difficulties with reasoning and understanding.

Dementia can be described as a person having a range of disabilities which can be more difficult to recognise than physical disabilities. These disabilities affect a person’s ability to function in their usual way as well as the ability to make decisions and judgements.

There is no cure for dementia and symptoms will get worse over time. However it is important to remember that these changes do not prevent a person from continuing to live life to the full as we all hope to do, having both good, and not so good days, in our moment to moment experience of life. There are several effective treatments that can help people to cope better with their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Download

• What is dementia? Factsheet
• What is dementia? Easy Read factsheet

Watch the video published by the Alzheimer’s Society which explains and defines what dementia is, and how it affects the brain.