What is dementia?
Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms that affect someone’s memory. They can struggle with everyday tasks and forget the right words for things. Dementia can also affect a person’s emotions, motivation and behaviour.
Almost a million people live with dementia in the UK, and this is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, but other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.
Dementia is not just a natural part of ageing. While it is more common in older adults, early-onset dementia also affects younger people. This brings unique challenges, impacting employment and family life.
Stress and tiredness can impact anyone’s memory, but this is usually temporary. Conditions like depression, side effects from medication, or vitamin deficiencies can also cause symptoms similar to dementia.
If you or a loved one experiences memory loss or confusion, it’s important to speak to a doctor early. Some symptoms may improve with appropriate treatment. Early diagnosis can help access support and manage symptoms more effectively, improving quality of life.
Many resources and support networks are available to help people living with dementia, and their families. Building a supportive community ensures that all these people feel understood and informed throughout their journey.
Over 55 million worldwide have dementia
1 in 11 people over 65 have dementia in the UK
98% of people could improve how they look after their brain health
Early onset dementia (under 65) accounts for 7.5% of the UK's dementia cases
What causes dementia?
Dementia is when the brain’s connections permanently stop working, causing problems with memory, decision-making, mood and behaviour.
There are several causes of dementia:
- Alzheimer’s disease: Caused by harmful proteins that block communication between brain cells.
- Vascular dementia: Triggered by poor blood flow, which affects brain function.
- Dementia with Lewy bodies: Shares symptoms with Parkinson’s disease, affecting movement and mental abilities.
- Frontotemporal dementia: Often appears in younger people, affecting behaviour and speech, and can be hereditary.
Dementia affects more women than men. Women are more likely to develop dementia and care for family members with it.
Ageing increases the risk of dementia, but it is not an inevitable part of getting older. Healthy lifestyle choices, such as staying active and engaging your brain, can reduce your risk and slow dementia’s progress.
The symptoms and effects of dementia
As well as memory issues, dementia can change the way you experience daily life. People with dementia may struggle to follow a conversation or feel confused about everyday tasks. These symptoms can start subtly, with lost items or feeling disoriented in familiar places. However, they usually get worse over time, making even simple activities more challenging.
Dementia symptoms vary from person to person. Some may have trouble understanding conversations or completing tasks they once found easy. Others might experience mood swings, anxiety or hallucinations.
Dementia can also affect people with existing intellectual and developmental disabilities. In these circumstances, it’s particularly important to monitor any changes carefully.
Early detection is crucial for managing dementia. Treatments that address certain symptoms can help people maintain a better quality of life.
How can it be managed?
While there is currently no cure for dementia, treatments focus on managing symptoms and enhancing quality of life. It should focus on an individual’s needs and preferences, so they can stay independent and sociable.
Medications
The right medications can reduce dementia symptoms, which is why a proper early diagnosis is important. For Alzheimer’s, medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine may provide temporary relief. For other types of dementia, managing underlying conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes is important.
Staying sociable
Keeping up social activities is good for your overall mental wellbeing. It also helps to provide regular cognitive stimulation for your brain. More and more specialist dementia-friendly activities are now available through cinemas, leisure centres or local groups.
Talking therapies
Specialist dementia therapy can help support emotional wellbeing, maintain cognitive function and assist with daily activities.
Lifestyle changes and evolving support
Living with dementia may mean finding ways to cope with memory loss and slower thinking. A weekly timetable and lists of important contacts or bill dates on your fridge can help. Having a regular routine may also make life easier.
You may need different support as the dementia progresses. Tell people about it when you’re ready and check if you’re eligible for any support through your local council.
How can dementia hypnotherapy help?
Hypnotherapy for dementia offers a friendly, supportive approach for those living with dementia, as well as their caregivers. It provides practical tools to help you manage stress, anxiety and emotional wellbeing. By improving day-to-day life, it makes each day a tad brighter and more manageable.
By promoting relaxation, focus and emotional stability, hypnotherapy can help people with dementia feel more connected to their surroundings. It helps people focus positively on what they can still do, ensuring they continue to find joy each day.
For caregivers, solution focused hypnotherapy for dementia provides invaluable support. It gives them strategies to maintain patience and calm in the face of caregiving challenges. Simple techniques, such as relaxation exercises, can improve sleep and overall wellbeing for both the caregiver and the person with dementia.
Hypnotherapy also helps with the social isolation that dementia can bring. It promotes better connections with loved ones and opportunities for positive interactions. By supporting both individuals and caregivers, hypnotherapy can enrich the quality of life and make the journey through dementia more manageable.
Our Dementia Specialists
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
