Dementia
Dementia is not one illness but an umbrella term for conditions in which memory, thinking, language and the ability to manage everyday life gradually decline.
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Medicines commonly prescribed for Dementia
For informational purposes only. Always consult a doctor before using any medicine.
Dosage form: ORALLY DISINTEGRATING TABLET/LIOTAB, 10 mgActive substance: donepezilManufacturer: Towa Pharmaceutical S.A.Prescription requiredDosage form: CAPSULE, 1.5 mgActive substance: rivastigmineManufacturer: Krka D.D. Novo MestoPrescription requiredDosage form: TABLET, 10 mgActive substance: donepezilManufacturer: Eisai GmbhPrescription required
Dementia is not one illness but an umbrella term for conditions in which memory, thinking, language and the ability to manage everyday life gradually decline. There is always a specific cause behind it: most often Alzheimer's disease, less often vascular damage to the brain, dementia with Lewy bodies or frontotemporal degeneration. Age raises the risk, but dementia is not a normal part of ageing: forgetfulness that gets in the way of living is something to investigate, not to write off as the years.
Early signs
The onset is usually blurred, and easier to see from outside than from within:
- the same questions and stories come round again; recent events drop out while older ones stay clear;
- familiar words are hard to reach and speech becomes vaguer — "that thing", "you know, over there";
- confusion about time and place: getting lost in a familiar area, not being able to work out what day it is;
- familiar sequences become difficult — cooking from a recipe, paying a bill, packing for a trip;
- character shifts: irritability, suspicion, apathy, and a loss of interest in former pursuits.
Isolated forgetfulness when tired or under strain is ordinary. What is concerning is not the fact itself but the progression: a month ago they managed, now they do not.
When to see a clinician
- the decline in memory or thinking is noticeable to you or to those close to you and has lasted several months;
- the person has stopped managing tasks they used to do alone;
- there are changes in behaviour and mood that are out of character;
- a relative is withdrawing from their usual activities and from company.
There is a practical reason not to put it off: some conditions that look like dementia are reversible — depression, vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disorders, side effects of medication, the after-effects of a head injury. Investigation finds them and they are treated.
How it is diagnosed
Through conversation and testing. The clinician asks what has changed and when, assesses memory and thinking with short tasks, orders blood tests to exclude reversible causes and, where needed, refers for an MRI or CT scan of the brain and on to a neurologist or psychiatrist.
It is worth coming to the appointment with someone close: from outside, changes are visible that the person themselves does not notice or dismisses as trivial. Writing down beforehand what exactly has become harder and since when helps, as does bringing a list of all medication.
What treatment offers
There is as yet no drug that halts the degenerative process. But treatment is worthwhile, for several reasons: medicines for Alzheimer's disease can improve memory and attention for a period, controlling blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol slows the vascular form, and addressing depression, anxiety and sleep problems separately often produces an improvement that families experience as getting the person back.
Organising daily life matters just as much: a clear routine, labels on cupboards, a large wall calendar, a pill organiser, familiar things in familiar places. This reduces anxiety and extends independence.
For those providing care
Caring for someone with dementia is a long haul, and burnout here is not weakness but a predictable outcome. It is worth finding out in advance what help is available locally, dividing responsibilities among relatives, and keeping time for rest. The carer's own condition is part of the treatment, not a side issue.
Common questions
Will forgetfulness inevitably become dementia? No. Moderate age-related changes in memory can stay stable for years without progressing.
Is dementia inherited? In most cases there is no direct inheritance. Familial forms exist but are uncommon.
Can the risk be lowered? Partly, yes: controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, stopping smoking, physical activity, treating hearing loss and keeping up social contact are all associated with lower risk.
Online consultation
In an online appointment a doctor can go through exactly what has changed, judge which reversible causes should be excluded first, explain what investigations will be needed and advise which specialist to see in person.
This article is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
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Medically reviewed by
Reviewed on Jul 22, 2026
Online doctors for Dementia
Discuss your symptoms and possible next steps for Dementia with a doctor online.
