Understanding and Diagnosing Dementia

Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO Dementia Australia

As dementia edges closer to becoming the leading cause of death of Australians, we must raise national awareness and increase the understanding of dementia.

Australians’ understanding of dementia is limited. A 2024 Dementia Australia report found that two in three people say they know very little about dementia.¹ This highlights the urgent need for education around dementia – the signs, symptoms and the impacts it has and what we can do to support people with dementia – as well as more broadly about brain health and how to lower dementia risk.

People living with dementia, families and carers experience significant social isolation and stigma as a result of their condition, which has adverse impacts on quality of life and ability to manage symptoms. Almost one in three people surveyed by Dementia Australia said they found people with dementia frightening.²   

Of the estimated 421,000 Australians living with dementia, it is important to know that dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and no two people experience dementia in the same way. Dementia can affect thinking, memory and behaviour. Brain function is affected enough to interfere with someone’s normal social or working life.  Dementia describes a collection of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain and it is not one specific disease.

Different types of dementia

There are many types of dementia. Some of the common types include:

• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, disrupting the brain’s neurons and affecting how they work and communicate with each other. Symptoms often begin with memory loss and progress to changes to thinking and behaviour.
• Vascular dementia occurs when there is reduced blood supply to the brain, causing cells to die.Symptoms may vary depending on the location and size of the brain damage. It may affect one or a few specific cognitive functions.
• Lewy body disease involvestiny structures called Lewy bodies which can be seen inside dying brain cells. Symptoms can involve changes in movement, thinking and behaviour.
• Frontotemporal dementia causes progressive damage to either or both the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain. Early symptoms affecting the frontal lobe are often behavioural symptoms and personality changes. Memory often remains unaffected, especially in the early stages of the condition.
• Younger onset dementia is the term used to describe any form of dementia diagnosed in someone under the age of 65. Dementia is more common in older people, but dementia also affects younger adults. A range of rare neurological conditions can also cause dementia in children.

Signs and symptoms

Early signs of dementia can be subtle and may not be immediately obvious.

Common symptoms include:

• memory loss
• changes in planning and problem-solving abilities
• difficulty completing everyday tasks
• confusion about time or place
• trouble understanding what we see (objects, people) and distances, depth and space in our surroundings
• difficulty with speech, writing or comprehension
• misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• decreased or poor judgement
• withdrawal from work or social activities
• changes in mood and personality.

Diagnosis

It is important to talk to a doctor when symptoms first appear. If symptoms are not caused by dementia, early intervention will be helpful to treat other conditions.

People living with dementia often report how difficult it was to receive their diagnosis. On average in Australia, a diagnosis of dementia takes three years and up to seven years for younger onset dementia. Many people are not diagnosed at all. 

Australian and international studies show that stigma and discrimination associated with a dementia diagnosis can discourage people from seeking health care, including a diagnosis, and can also reduce social engagement with family, friends and the broader community. This can have serious consequences for the physical, cognitive and psychosocial health of the person living with dementia. 

If the symptoms are caused by dementia, early diagnosis will help the person access treatment, support and information sooner. They can understand how to live well with dementia and take control of their life. They can plan for the future and take positive steps to slow progression and to live well for as long as possible.

 Dementia Australia is here for you. We can support you or a loved one to get a diagnosis and give you access to life-changing services. Contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit dementia.org.au for live chat and email. We’re here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. 

1. Dementia Australia Report, Ipsos June 2024. Unpublished. p.9
2. Dementia Australia Report, Ipsos June 2024. Unpublished. p.9