What to do when a loved one is first diagnosed with dementia

Dec 29, 2018 | About Dementia, Advice

Even though you might have suspected the person has dementia, the diagnosis could still be a shock. Your parent may be confused and unable to process the news. They may understand the diagnosis, but could be in denial and may refuse any offers of help and support. You...

Medication for dementia

Dec 29, 2018 | About Dementia

There are four types of medication prescribed to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are no dementia specific drugs available, although the person may be given other drugs to treat underlying conditions, such as heart disease, a stroke in the case of...

We need to get better at diagnosing dementia

Dec 7, 2018 | News

A study published today in Neurology Clinical Practice found that brief cognitive tests, used in primary care settings to evaluate memory and thinking in order to identify whether people are likely to have dementia, may often be wrong.  Researchers found that...

Dealing with anger and false beliefs

Dec 4, 2018 | Advice, Behaviour, Blog

A person with dementia can develop false beliefs and think that someone is ‘out to get’ them. Christina Neal explains how to cope if a distressing situation like this arises.  I remember the day well. It was the weekend before Christmas. My mum’s nursing home...

Six ways to manage challenging behaviour

Dec 4, 2018 | Advice, Behaviour, Blog

Don’t let mood swings or what might seem like unusual or inappropriate behaviour leave you feeling exasperated – here’s some useful tips on coping with challenging behaviour.  Dementia can affect a person’s moods, thinking and behaviour, making them more prone to...