Dementia is a collective term, used to describe over a 100 physical brain disorders, which have in common loss of brain function.  Dementia is a progressive disease.  The most common types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia.

Dementia affects short-term memory.  People with dementia (PWD) forget things that they have said or done in the recent past, even though they can often recall events that happened many years ago.   They may lose their sense of time and place and may develop problems with finding words to express themselves.  Learning new information and to do new things becomes increasingly difficult.

As time progresses, PWD need help to perform even the most basic tasks of everyday living, including washing, dressing and eating.  Eventually, PWD may become uncommunicative and incontinent.  In some instances, PWD could demonstrate severe behavioural problems.  

Dementia is a term used to describe the symptoms experienced by people who have a progressive loss of mental function.  It is caused by a number of diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (most common), vascular dementia, Parkinsons's disease, alcohol and drug related brain dmaage and other rare conditions.

The condition results in brain cells dying at a faster rate than normal which causes an impariment in a person's memory, thinking, orientation, language and social behaviour.

Dementia is not a normal part of ageing but it can happen to anybody.  While most people affected are aged over 60, younger people can also develop dementia.

As well as being devasting for the individual diagnosed with dementia, the condition also has a profound effect on family and friends caring for the person. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) argues that in all countries, and in developing countries in particular, measures to help older persons remain healthy and active are a necessity and not a luxury.

Ageing will present challenging economic and social demands of the community, every segment of society and in particular the public sector. At the same time, older persons are a precious often ignored resource that can make an important contribution to the fabric of our society.