Dementia

Dementia is a condition in the brain that makes it hard for a person to remember, learn and communicate. The symptoms of Dementia including memory loss, confusion, mood changes and difficulty with day-to-day tasks. There are many causes of dementia, with Alzheimer's being the most common.

Dementia is not a normal part of getting older, go to Is it getting older or dementia? | Alzheimer's Society (Alzheimers.org.uk) to understand more about the differences between getting older and dementia.

If you’re concerned that you, or someone you know, is showing signs of dementia, it’s important to see a GP. Becoming forgetful may not mean you have dementia. Memory loss can be caused by physical or mental health problems, and sometimes it's just a normal sign of ageing. But it's always better to know.

There are many different conditions that can mimic the early signs of dementia including: infections, delirium, vitamin deficiency, depression, anxiety and diabetes. These conditions are treatable, so it is important to visit a GP for tests to identify and manage these conditions. Once these conditions have been ruled out and there are still concerns about the ongoing changes then the GP may refer to the specialist memory assessment team for further tests.

An early diagnosis of dementia can help the person and their family to understand what form of dementia they have, why the changes they are experiencing are happening, and what they can do to manage them. It can mean access to medication that may help slow symptoms. It also enables the person and their family to have conversations about how to live as well as possible with the diagnosis and to plan for the future.

If you have memory problems or other dementia associated symptoms or are a carer/family member you can seek support from a variety of organisations in Carmarthenshire without need for a formal assessment.

There is more information on dementia at:

Dementia UK

Alzheimer's Society

However, if you need support from us, you can request an assessment of your care and support needs by contacting Delta Well-being by telephone:  0300 333 2222 or by requesting an assessment.

Request an Assessment