Dementia is an umbrella
term describing a number of
diseases and conditions of the brain,
sharing the characteristics of decreasing
brain function, which are usually progressive
and eventually severe. The common initial
symptoms of dementia are memory loss, confusion
and challenges with understanding and speech. Some
of the well-known diseases include Alzheimer’s, Pick’s,
Vascular Dementia, Huntingdon’s, Creutzfeldt-Jakob and
Parkinson’s.
As dementia is usually progressive, initial symptoms
become more severe and additional symptoms may
appear, such as gradual loss of mobility, weight
loss, incontinence and an increasing severity of
behavioural issues (restlessness, hallucinations,
agitation, wandering, suspicion and
aggression).
