Dementia is an umbrella term for progressive degenerative brain syndromes which affect memory, organisation, language and communication, movement, motor functions and other thinking abilities that affect a person’s daily living.
There are several types of dementia, including:
Although challenging at times, people with dementia can live well with adequate support systems that focus on their wellbeing and that of their care partners / caregivers.
*Note: Resources linked are in English and pdf or webpage format, unless stated otherwise.
Fact Sheet on Dementia by Sharifah Tahir, Emily Ong & Yuenwah San
– available in accessible pdf, word, epub and html
Global Dementia Observatory by World Health Organization (WHO)
– Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025
– Global status report on the public health response to dementia
Reports by Alzheimer's Disease International, including World Alzheimer Report (from 2009 to the latest)
The dementia guide: Living well after your diagnosis by Alzheimer's Society, UK
Our “Top Tips” for living well with dementia by The Scottish Dementia Working Group
Post-Diagnostic Resource by The Scottish Dementia Working Group
Dementia and Sensory Challenges by The Scottish Dementia Working Group
The lived experience of people with dementia by Romayne Gallagher
Caring for a person with dementia: A practical guide by Alzheimer's Society, UK
‘Nothing Ventured nothing gained’: Risk Guidance for people with dementia by Jill Manthorpe & Jo
Moriarty for Department of Health, UK
Supporting Dementia Self Advocates: A Directory of Resources by Dementia Alliance International, 3 Nations Dementia Working Group & Alzheimer’s Society
Dementia-friendly environment checklist by Alzheimer's Society, UK
Dementia-friendly environments: Noise levels by Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), UK
Dementia words matter: Guidelines on language about Dementia by The Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project (DEEP), UK
Dementia Language Guidelines by Dementia Australia
Designing to Include Dementia & Personhood by Ron Beleno, Jennifer Boger, Arthena Caston, Luna Kawano, Jennifer Krul, Roger Marple, Jay Reinstein, Tynan Sears, Mack Wilson
Engagement of people with lived experience of dementia advisory group and cross-cutting program: reflections on the first year by Ellen Snowball, Rosette Fernandez Loughlin, Heather Eagleson, Karen Myers Barnett, Emily McLellan, Denis O’Connor, Catherine Kelly, Christine Thelker, Katherine S. McGilton & Jennifer Bethell