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Section 1: About Dementia
Topics include diagnosis, planning, memory changes, research and types of dementia.
1.1 What is dementia?
This Help Sheet describes dementia, who gets it and some of its most common forms. It describes some early signs of dementia and emphasises the importance of an early medical diagnosis.
 Help Sheet - 1.1 What is dementia?
PDF file, 149 KB, updated October 2009
1.2 Diagnosing dementia
This Help Sheet provides information about the early signs of dementia and the ways in which it is diagnosed. The importance of an early and correct diagnosis is emphasised.
Help Sheet - 1.2 Diagnosing dementia
PDF file, 156 KB, updated October 2009
1.3 Diagnosis: informing the person with dementia
This Help Sheet discusses the issue of talking to the person with dementia about their diagnosis. It suggests approaches that families may take and provides some practical ways to talk about the diagnosis with the person with dementia.
Help Sheet - 1.3 Informing the person with dementia
PDF file, 175 KB, updated October 2009
1.4 Early Planning
Early planning can make it much easier for both a person with dementia, their family and carers to manage their financial and legal affairs. This Help Sheet discusses ways to plan ahead and lists people and organisations that can help.
Help Sheet - 1.4 Early Planning
PDF file, 144 KB, updated October 2009
1.5 Next steps
This Help Sheet describes the different services available for people diagnosed with dementia, their families and carers. These include specialised dementia services, health and home support services.
Help Sheet - 1.5 Next steps
PDF file, 150 KB, updated October 2009
1.6 Information for family and friends
Approximately 200,000 Australians are currently diagnosed with dementia. All of these people have family, friends, neighbours and acquaintances. It can be difficult to explain about dementia, particularly if you, or someone close to you, has the condition. This Help Sheet is designed for people with dementia and their families to provide information to others about dementia. It explains what dementia is, how it affects people and ways to help.
Help Sheet - 1.6 Information for family and friends
PDF file, 147 KB, updated October 2009
1.7 Memory changes
This Help Sheet describes some of the differences between memory loss as a part of normal ageing and as a symptom of dementia. It provides some tips for keeping your memory sharp.
Help Sheet - 1.7 Memory changes
PDF file, 168 KB, updated October 2009
1.8 Progression of dementia
This Help Sheet discusses the progression of dementia from the early stages to the final stages of advanced dementia.
Help Sheet - 1.8 Progression of dementia
PDF file, 197 KB, updated October 2009
1.9 Drug treatments and dementia
This Help Sheet broadly discusses some of the drug treatments currently being used in the treatment of dementia. This includes new drugs which may have a temporary effect in improving mental functioning and drugs used to treat accompanying symptoms such as depression and anxiety. It also suggests questions that people with dementia, their families and carers should ask their doctor before being prescribed any of these drugs.
Help Sheet - 1.9 Drug treatments and dementia
PDF file, 151 KB, updated December 2009
1.10 Dementia and heredity
People affected by dementia are often concerned about whether the condition can be passed along in families. This Help Sheet discusses the role of heredity in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Help Sheet - 1.10 Dementia and Heredity
PDF file, 145 KB, updated October 2009
1.11 Research
This Help Sheet provides a broad overview of current research into dementia and discusses some of the issues involved in participating in research studies.
Help Sheet - 1.11 Research
PDF file, 149 KB, updated October 2009
1.12 Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia accounting for between 50% and 70% of all cases. This Help Sheets describes the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease as well as its causes, progression and treatment.
Help Sheet - 1.12 Alzheimer's disease
PDF file, 147 KB, updated October 2009
1.13 Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease and recently its incidence has been found to be higher than previously expected. This Help Sheet describes Vascular dementia, its causes, diagnosis and progression.
Help Sheet - 1.13 Vascular dementia
PDF file, 288 KB, updated October 2009
1.14 Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD)
This Help Sheet describes a group of dementias, known as Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration including Fronto Temporal Dementia, Progressive non-Fluent Aphasia, Semantic Dementia and Pick’s disease. It discusses their causes, diagnoses and symptoms.
Help Sheet - 1.14 Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD)
PDF file, 212 KB, updated October 2009
1.15 Dementia with Lewy bodies
Dementia with Lewy bodies is a common form of dementia, sharing many similarities with Alzheimer’s disease. This Help Sheet describes dementia with Lewy bodies, its causes,diagnosis and progression.
Help Sheet - 1.15 Dementia with Lewy bodies
PDF file, 213 KB, updated October 2009
1.16 Alcohol related dementia
This Help Sheet discusses alcohol related dementias, their causes, symptoms and treatment.
Help Sheet - 1.16 Alcohol related dementia
PDF file, 229 KB, updated february 2010
1.17 AIDS related dementia
This Help Sheet describes AIDS related dementia, its cause, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Help Sheet - 1.17 AIDS related dementia
PDF file, 157 KB, updated October 2009
1.18 Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease
Research has established a link between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. This Help Sheet explains what is currently known about this link, and discusses the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome and some information about where to find additional support.
Help Sheet - 1.18 Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease
PDF file, 157 KB, October 2009
1.19 Parkinson's and dementia
This help sheet describes Parkinson's, what causes it and some of the symptoms of dementia people with Parkinson's experience. It points out how communication is affected and ways of managing changed behaviours.
Help Sheet - 1.19 Parkinson's and dementia
PDF file, 136 KB, October 2009
Contact Us
Alzheimer's Australia is the national peak body for people living with dementia, their families and carers and provides leadership in policy and services. To find out more, contact us or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
Alzheimer’s Australia is responsible for the content of these Help Sheets.
These publications provide a general summary only of the subject matter covered. People should seek professional advice about their specific case. Alzheimer’s Australia is not liable for any error or omission in these publications.
© Alzheimer’s Australia 2005
updated: 16 February 2010
created: 2 December 2002
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