Dementia
Also called: Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, memory loss, cognitive decline
What dementia is (and isn't), how it changes memory and thinking, and the practical, compassionate ways to support someone living with it.
People live meaningfully with dementia for years - the right support and environment make every day better.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a gradual decline in memory and thinking that’s serious enough to affect daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, followed by vascular dementia. It is not a normal part of ageing - and much can be done to help people live well. Start with what is dementia?
Know the early signs
Occasional forgetfulness is normal; changes that disrupt daily life are worth checking. See early signs of dementia - early diagnosis opens the door to support and planning.
How the brain is involved
Dementia often begins in memory areas - the hippocampus, deep in the temporal lobe - before affecting the frontal lobe (planning, judgement, personality). The pattern varies by cause.
Supporting someone with dementia
Small, compassionate changes make a big difference:
- Communicating with someone with dementia
- A dementia-friendly home
- Handling repetitive questions
- Meaningful activities and nutrition and hydration
Prevention and risk
A large share of dementia risk is modifiable. Reducing dementia risk and keeping your brain healthy help protect thinking - at any age.
Brain regions involved
Explore these in the brain education hub.
Therapies that help
Honest, cited verdicts and what to expect.
Read about it
Browse all →Plain-language guides and cited research on dementia.
- Research Cognitive reserve and lifelong learning Why some brains cope better with ageing and injury. The research on cognitive reserve - built through education, activity, and connection - and how to keep building it.
- Research Cognitive reserve: staying mentally active What 'cognitive reserve' means, why lifelong learning and social connection matter, and how it fits everyday brain-health habits.
- Research Cognitive stimulation therapy for dementia What the evidence says about cognitive stimulation - structured, enjoyable group activities - for thinking and quality of life in mild-to-moderate dementia.
- Guide Healthy brain ageing What normally changes in thinking with age, what does not, and the everyday habits with the best evidence for keeping an older brain sharp and resilient.
- Guide Hearing and communication in rehab How hearing loss interacts with neurological conditions and what carers and clinicians can do to support clear, effective communication.
- Guide Complementary approaches: what may help A careful, plain-language look at complementary approaches like music, tai chi, and aromatherapy - what the evidence suggests, and how to use them safely alongside standard care.
Practise it
Do-it-on-the-page activities that support recovery.
Explore further
This is general education, not medical advice. Always check with a qualified clinician about your situation.