Most people have one of four main kinds of dementia: Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia. Each type affects the brain differently, so symptoms, progression and care needs can vary between individuals, and some people have mixed dementia.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for around 60 to 70% of cases. It develops when proteins in the brain build up into plaques and tangles, stopping brain cells from working properly and communicating with each other, which gradually affects memory, thinking and daily life.

Common signs of dementia include memory loss, confusion, difficulty finding words or following conversations, problems making sense of what's seen, and changes in mood or behaviour. Symptoms can appear differently between individuals, including differences in how signs present in men and women, and tend to worsen gradually over time.

The first signs of dementia are often subtle, such as increasing forgetfulness, misplacing items, struggling with familiar tasks, or becoming confused about time or place. Spotting early signs of dementia allows a person to get an earlier diagnosis and access support sooner.

Early-onset (or young-onset) dementia refers to dementia that develops before the age of 65. Its symptoms are broadly similar to those of dementia in later life, though early-onset dementia can be harder to recognise as it's sometimes mistaken for stress, depression or menopause-related changes.

Dementia is caused by diseases that damage the brain, such as the build-up of abnormal proteins in Alzheimer's disease or reduced blood flow to the brain in vascular dementia. It is not a normal part of ageing, although age remains the biggest risk factor.

Dementia is often described in early, middle and late stages, with symptoms and support needs increasing as the condition progresses. Vascular dementia stages can progress in a step-wise pattern linked to further changes in blood flow to the brain, whereas other types tend to decline more gradually.

Yes. This Level 2 Dementia course is suitable for nurses, care workers, healthcare assistants and other health and social care professionals who support people living with dementia, providing a solid grounding in dementia awareness, person-centred care and legal considerations.