Memory change – is it dementia?

Are you concerned about lapses in memory or other changes in your thinking or behaviour, or in someone close to you?

Changes like these can have a number of possible causes, including stress, depression, pain, chronic illness, or medications.

See your doctor if you, or someone close to you, are experiencing these kinds of difficulties. Receiving a diagnosis is important because the underlying cause may be treatable. However, major changes in memory are not normal at any age and should be taken seriously.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a general term to describe problems that involve progressive changes in memory, thinking, behaviour, and the ability to perform regular daily activities.

There are more than 100 different types of dementia. The most common types are:

Alzheimer’s – which attacks the brain resulting in impaired memory, thinking and behaviour

Vascular dementia – caused by poor blood flow to the brain, depriving brain cells of nutrients and oxygen needed to function normally