Expert articles on elderly and dementia care

Dementia | 3 min read by Dr Jane Gilbert, October 15, 2018

Could an eye test spot early signs of dementia?

Eye tests can pick up whether you’re long or short sighted, identify glaucoma and monitor your eye health – and recent research suggests that your optician could also predict whether you are at risk of developing dementia. The brain damage of dementia begins many years before any symptoms become apparent. A recent study suggests that …

Continue reading “Could an eye test spot early signs of dementia?”

Dementia | 4 min read by Dr Jane Gilbert, October 9, 2018

Hearing loss and dementia

There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting a link between dementia and hearing loss. A number of scientific papers have found a significant association between age-related hearing loss, cognitive decline and dementia. Action on Hearing Loss says that: ‘There is strong evidence that mild hearing loss doubles the risk of developing dementia, with moderate …

Continue reading “Hearing loss and dementia”

Dementia | 3 min read by Dr Jane Gilbert, October 8, 2018

Can you test for dementia?

You’ve walked into a room and don’t know what you’re there for, you’ve lost your keys or you can’t remember the name of someone. They’re the sort of things that we all do occasionally, but if they become more of an everyday occurrence, could they indicate dementia? It can be frightening if you feel your …

Continue reading “Can you test for dementia?”

Dementia | 3 min read by Dr Jane Gilbert, October 1, 2018

Brain food – the effect of diet on dementia

The food we eat is more than just fuel, it’s essential for the healthy function of our hearts, our bodies and our brains – so what is brain food? The Greek philosopher Hippocrates said ‘let food be our medicine’ and modern medical research is proving him right. There’s increasing awareness that the development of vascular …

Continue reading “Brain food – the effect of diet on dementia”

Dementia / Health | 2 min read by Stephen Portlock, September 28, 2018

The best clocks for people with dementia

Losing track of time is one of the early symptoms of dementia. Whether it’s a missed doctor’s appointment or a frantic phone call about whether they’ve had lunch, losing track of time can be a distressing experience for your loved one. Fortunately, there are a number of tools that can help your loved one keep …

Continue reading “The best clocks for people with dementia”

Dementia / Health | 4 min read by Dr Jane Gilbert, September 27, 2018

Can you drive with dementia?

Driving is a complex skill that requires concentration, coordination, patience and an ability to remember routes. The brain damage of dementia will increasingly affect your capacity to drive and to safely cope with the tests and trials on the road. Eventually all people with dementia will have to stop driving, however dementia is a progressive …

Continue reading “Can you drive with dementia?”

Health | 3 min read by Dr Jane Gilbert, September 26, 2018

What is frontotemporal dementia?

Dementia develops when there is progressive damage to the brain. Frontotemporal dementia is the term used to describe a number of different conditions, in which particular areas of the brain are affected leading to characteristic personality and behavioural changes. Frontotemporal dementia is also known as Pick’s disease or frontal lobe dementia The name refers to …

Continue reading “What is frontotemporal dementia?”

Dementia | 3 min read by Dr Jane Gilbert, September 25, 2018

What is dementia with Lewy bodies?

Dementia isn’t a single disease, the word describes a set of symptoms that includes problems with memory, reasoning, communication and problem solving. Many people think that dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are the same thing, but Alzheimer’s is only one of many causes of dementia. As many as ten to fifteen percent of people affected may …

Continue reading “What is dementia with Lewy bodies?”

Alzheimer's Disease / Dementia | 2 min read by Dr Jane Gilbert, September 20, 2018

What is mixed dementia?

Although people tend to use the terms dementia and Alzheimer’s disease interchangeably, there are many different causes for the brain damage associated with the condition. Repeated small strokes, Parkinson’s disease and metabolic disorders like diabetes or thyroid disease can also cause a decline in the ability to think, remember, communicate and reason, that are typical …

Continue reading “What is mixed dementia?”

Dementia | 3 min read by Dr Jane Gilbert, September 20, 2018

Can dementia be cured?

Frustratingly, medical science has so far been unable to find a cure for dementia. The truth is that there is unlikely to be a single ‘silver bullet’ to treat the condition because the brain damage of dementia is caused by many different diseases. However, research is continuing aimed at reducing risk factors, slowing down the …

Continue reading “Can dementia be cured?”

Page 1 of 24