What is dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term for various brain diseases that lead to different impairments. For example, those affected have difficulties thinking, speaking, or interacting with other people.

Dementia can also make everyday tasks – such as working, managing household chores, or other daily activities – more challenging. While Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, there are many other types, including

• Vascular dementia: This is caused by circulatory disorders in the brain.
• Lewy body dementia: This form is characterised by changes in the brain and movement restrictions.
• Frontotemporal dementia: It mainly affects younger people and leads to changes in personality and behaviour.

Dementia can also develop as a consequence of another illness: for example, diseases of the thyroid gland, oxygen deficiency in the brain, or brain injuries may result in what is known as secondary dementia. Overall, the symptoms and impairments resulting from dementia vary from person to person.

Understanding dementia

Dementia is closely connected to memory and emotions. Memory helps us link new experiences with past ones, while emotions – such as joy, fear, or anger – guide us in deciding what is important and what is not. Emotions play a key role in determining what gets stored in memory and what is forgotten. To understand people with dementia, it is important to recognise that memory is not only about thinking. It also involves experiencing and feeling: a physical memory of the senses and touch, and a memory of relationships and interactions.

It is important to support people with dementia in a way that maintains their quality of life and promotes their well-being. This requires taking their feelings seriously, giving them security and support, and showing them appreciation.

Living with dementia

It is possible to live well for a long time with dementia-related impairments. Early recognition is particularly important, as psychosocial and medical measures can help to slow down the progression of the impairments. Educating the general public can also be helpful: with greater understanding and awareness, people affected by dementia can receive better support in their everyday lives and maintain a good quality of life.

Austria also has its own dementia strategy with the aim of ensuring that people with dementia have access to a variety of support options.