Types of dementia
What are the different types of dementia?
There are many different types of dementia, but some occur much more than others.
Dementia is a term used to describe a range of different conditions that affect the brain. In fact, dementia isn’t a condition in its own right and is used as an umbrella term to describe a group of symptoms that are caused by a diagnosed health condition, such as Lewy body dementia or Alzheimer’s.
The symptoms of dementia vary depending on the type of dementia someone has and with each individual. Generally, dementia affects parts of the brain responsible for memory, thinking, concentration, language, spatial awareness, mood and perception. At first, the symptoms may be fairly mild, but will become progressively more severe and eventually lead to death.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that affects memory, speech, orientation and concentration. To begin with, symptoms may be fairly mild, such as forgetting about what you did several hours earlier or struggling to recall the names of everyday objects. As the disease progresses, symptoms will become more severe and also begin to affect speech, spatial awareness, movement, mood and behaviour.
Those in the later stages of the condition will need support with everyday tasks such as help with personal care, making meals and housework. Although they may be confused and forget important things such as names, friends and even the time period they’re currently in, it’s vital to keep in mind that they may become quite confused and frightened when the world around them isn’t how they perceive it to be. Consistent care can help someone ‘live well’ with Alzheimer’s rather than ‘suffer from’ it.
Most prevalent in over-65s
No cure
Drug and therapy treatments
Most common form of dementia
What happens in the brain to Alzheimer's?
First discovered by German doctor Frederic Lewy, Lewy bodies are protein deposits found in nerve cells in the brain and, depending on where they are found, have different effects on the individual.
If Lewy bodies are found at the base of the brain, they create the characteristic problems with movement that is found in both LBD and Parkinson’s. If they are found in the outer layers of the brain, they create issues with cognitive abilities such as the memory, thinking and hallucination symptoms mentioned previously. Someone with LBD may have Lewy bodies in just one or both areas of the brain, which will change the symptoms they have.
Although LBD only tends to affect those over the age of 65, if someone has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and lived with it for a while, they are more likely to develop LBD as their condition progresses and more Lewy bodies appear.
Temporal lobes
Damage to the temporal lobes = difficulty with visually recognising people and objects
Right parietal lobe
Damage to right parietal lobe = difficulty with spatial awareness and judging distances
Frontal lobes
Damage to frontal lobes = difficulty with decision making or following a plan
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, which is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. As with Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia is a progressive condition that gets worse over time. There is no cure for vascular dementia, although there are some treatments that can slow the disease down, such as taking medication to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.
There are several different types of vascular dementia, all of which share the main cause – problems with blood flow in and around the brain. Some are directly linked to strokes, such as stroke-related dementia or post-stroke dementia, whereas others, such as subcortical dementia, are caused when blood vessels don’t develop properly and interfere with the white matter in the brain. Around 10 per cent of those with dementia are diagnosed with mixed dementia, where both vascular and Alzheimer’s has caused the condition.
Affects brain functions
Can cause problems with thought and concentration
Can also affect memory
What happens in the brain to cause Vascular dementia?
Vascular dementia is caused by problems with blood flow to the brain. This happens when blood vessels become blocked, leak or clot, meaning the blood cannot reach the brain cells. If brain cells are starved of blood (which also carry oxygen) for too long, they will die.
Problems with blood flow can be caused by strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), also known as ‘mini strokes’. They can also occur when small blood vessels begin to narrow in the brain, making it more difficult for the blood to flow through them.
There are certain factors that increase the risk of damage to blood vessels or the likelihood of developing a blood clot, such as leading an unhealthy lifestyle (unbalanced diet, too much alcohol and no exercise), high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. You can reduce your risk of developing problems with blood vessels through:
Doing more exercise
Undertake regular exercise to strengthen your heart and improve your overall cardiovascular health
Eating a balanced diet
Eat a balanced diet, including Omega 3-rich foods such as salmon, vegetables, walnuts and soybeans
Treating underlying health conditions
Go for regular check-ups with your GP and seek medical assistance for underlying conditions when needed
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)
Lewy body dementia (LBD) or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a condition that affects the brain and nervous system. LBD is a progressive condition and will get gradually worse over a number of years, where there is sadly, no cure.
This is the third most common dementia type after Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, with around 10 to 15 percent of people being diagnosed. It also shares symptoms with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, with one of the main symptoms being problems with movement – very similar to someone with Parkinson’s. This includes stiff limbs, slow movements, tremors, shaking and unsteadiness on their feet.
Other symptoms of LBD may include:
Memory loss
Hazy thinking
Hallucinations
Delusions
Disturbed sleep
What happens in the brain to cause Lewy Body Dementia?
First discovered by German doctor Frederic Lewy, Lewy bodies are protein deposits found in nerve cells in the brain and, depending on where they are found, have different effects on the individual.
If Lewy bodies are found at the base of the brain, they create the characteristic problems with movement that is found in both LBD and Parkinson’s. If they are found in the outer layers of the brain, they create issues with cognitive abilities such as the memory, thinking and hallucination symptoms mentioned previously. Someone with LBD may have Lewy bodies in just one or both areas of the brain, which will change the symptoms they have.
Although LBD only tends to affect those over the age of 65, if someone has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and lived with it for a while, they are more likely to develop LBD as their condition progresses and more Lewy bodies appear.
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) – sometimes referred to as frontal lobe dementia or Pick’s disease – is a less common form of dementia. Unlike most dementias, FTD tends to affect those mainly between the ages of 45 and 65.
Symptoms tend to determine the type of FTD that a person is diagnosed with. If they have problems with behaviour, such as a loss of empathy, lack of inhibitions, repetitive tendencies, or behaving socially inappropriately – they may be diagnosed with the behavioural variant of FTD, which is the most common type. If they have problems with language, such as hesitant speech, leaving out linking words when they talk, difficulties in understanding lots of information or difficulties in understanding the meanings of words – they may be diagnosed with the less common language variant of FTD.
What happens in the brain to cause Frontotemporal Dementia?
The term ‘frontotemporal’ refers to the frontal and temporal lobes in the brain that are affected by the condition. The frontal lobe is responsible for emotions, behaviour and problem-solving, whereas the temporal lobes are responsible for the meaning of words and recognition of faces and objects. It is either one or both of these areas that are damaged in the brain of someone with FTD.
Damage occurs when clumps of abnormal protein build up in and around nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, resulting in them being unable to work properly and eventually dying.
It is unclear why this happens, particularly in people who are much younger than others who have different types of dementia. There has been evidence of a genetic link, but further research needs to be carried out to confirm this.
Early or Younger Onset Dementia
Early or Younger Onset Dementia describes any dementia that affects someone who is under the age of 65. All of the conditions mentioned above can be diagnosed in someone under this age, but Alzheimer’s disease is the most common and is diagnosed in around a third of early onset cases. There are other conditions linked to dementia in younger people too, such as Down’s syndrome and Huntington’s disease.
Experts are unsure whether developing dementia at an earlier age means that the condition will progress more quickly, but avoiding risk factors is key. For anyone under the age of 65 that suspects they may have Younger Onset Dementia, it’s really important to get the right diagnosis as early as possible, as it will enable you to get the right treatments and support.
There are some risk factors that can lead to Early Onset Dementia:
An unhealthy lifestyle
High levels of cholesterol
High blood pressure
Illicit drug use
Alcohol use
Dementia care at home
At Helping Hands, we believe home is the best place to receive the care you need.
When the need for care arises, receiving it in your own home comes with a number of brilliant benefits that you simply don’t get if you choose to move to a residential nursing home. Our exceptional carers are all expertly trained to provide a wide range of care services to people with varying types of dementia, and will be able to offer specialist, personalised dementia support that is tailored to your unique circumstances.
The benefits of home care include:
Personalised support
Dementia care at home allows you to enjoy a personalised care plan that ensures you’re always getting the right support for your condition
A holistic approach
Our holistic approach means no stone is left unturned in your care plan, so you’ll get the emotional, practical and physical support you need
Stay in a familiar environment
Many people relish the chance to remain in the comfortable, secure surroundings of home whilst receiving the additional support they need
Spend more time with loved ones
You’ll be able to choose when your family and friends visit, and your carer can assist with hosting duties – including getting your home spick and span
One-to-one care
Care at home gives you the opportunity to receive personal one-to-one support from your own carer, meaning you’ll always have their full attention
Maintain your routines and hobbies
Domiciliary care allows you to continue living life on your own terms, which includes keeping up all your favourite hobbies, routines and activities
How to arrange dementia care
We aim to make it easy to arrange the support you want so that we can focus on what really matters: your care needs. Speak to our team today to begin your journey.
Speak to our team
Call our team of experts to talk through your options and any questions you may have
Free home care assessment
Your local Helping Hands manager will visit you to discuss your care requirements
Find your carer
We’ll help to match you with a carer who meets your preferences and has the right skills
Page reviewed by Deanna Lane, Senior Clinical Lead, on March 24, 2022.