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In the last of our series of blogs marking Dementia Action Week, we asked Emily Forster, Quality Assurance and Service Development Manager at ADSS, to tackle some of the most common myths about dementia.

“There’s a lot of confusion and misunderstanding around dementia,” says Emily. “That gets in the way of diagnosis, and of people with dementia getting the help and support they need to live well with the disease.” We asked Emily to put the record straight on five things people often get wrong about dementia.

5 common myths about dementia

1. Dementia is an inevitable part of ageing: People often think that if you live long enough, you’ll get dementia. “Not true,” says Emily. “Some dementias are hereditary, while others are linked to lifestyle factors. And younger people can get dementia too.” Find out more about the causes of dementia.

2. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are the same thing: Wrong again. Dementia is the umbrella term for a group of different diseases that damage the brain. Alzheimer’s is just one form of dementia. You can read about the different types of dementia here. Why does it matter? “Again, it comes down to knowledge and awareness,” says Emily. “The more you – and the people caring for you – know about your dementia, the more you can do to manage the impact.”

3. There’s no point getting a dementia diagnosis: While there might not be a cure for dementia, there are treatments that can help you manage the symptoms – and practical and emotional support to help you live an independent and full life for as long as possible. “This is why it’s so important that people understand the symptoms and know that it’s not just a disease for older people,” says Emily. “That awareness is key to an early diagnosis.” 

4. Communicating with people with dementia is really difficult: Honest conversations are a big part of living well with dementia. But sometimes barriers get in the way, and even the most loving family and friends find communication hard. “There’s this myth that people with dementia can’t remember things or process information,” says Emily. “But if you’re mindful of how you communicate – speaking more slowly, choosing simple, direct words – it can make a huge difference, especially when the person is still in the early to moderate stages of the disease.”

5. People with dementia often demonstrate challenging behaviour: Dementia symptoms are wide-ranging, and can include physical changes such as increased restlessness as well as the confusion and forgetfulness typically associated with the disease. “Some people with dementia do get angry and frustrated,” says Emily. “But again, medication, a patient approach to communication and and the right support can all help with that as well as the other symptoms.”

Diagnosis: the essential first step

The common thread that runs throughout all of these myths is knowledge and awareness. And, as Emily points out, diagnosis is key to both. “It’s so, so important,” she says. “The sooner you know, the sooner you can start taking steps to plan for the future, for example by making a lasting power of attorney, and to maximise your quality of life.”

Find out more

At ADSS we passionately believe that with the right support people can live a life full of quality, dignity and purpose. All of our services are based on evidence and impact to help people live the best life they can after their diagnosis and beyond. Our dementia co-ordinators are also working one to one with people to support them through the diagnosis process. Want to know more about how a Dementia Coordinator could help you? Read Annette’s story.

Contact us to find out how ADSS could support you.