Dementia
Dementia is a word used to describe several illnesses that result in the brain not working properly.
This usually shows up in poor memory (especially for recent events), confused thinking, changes in personality and behaviour (which might include aggressive actions), disorientation (getting lost easily in a familiar place), difficulty in communicating and not understanding simple instructions.
About one in 3 people over the age of 80 will have some degree of dementia, which is sometimes described as ‘brain failure’.
Most cases of dementia are due to Alzheimer's disease (cause unknown) or to poor circulation to the brain, which is deprived of oxygen through a number of tiny strokes.
Sometimes an apparent state of dementia can occur because of an easily treated problem such as a urinary infection. For this reason, medical advice should always be sought when people show the signs of dementia, especially when there is a sudden change in personality or behaviour.
Last Reviewed: 24 May 2002
