Dementia
Dementia
Overview
- Home
- Illnesses and conditions
- Symptoms and self-help
- Tests and treatments
- Healthy living
- Care, support and rights
- Scotland’s Service Directory
- 0
Home Illnesses and conditions Brain, nerves and spinal cord Dementia Dementia
Information, support and advice on dementia
About dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of conditions associated with damage to the brain or brain cells (neuron). This means the brain cannot work as well as it should.
Dementia can affect your ability to remember, think and speak. It also affects how you feel and behave.
Find out more about dementia
Types of dementia
There are many types of dementia. These are some of the most common.
Alzheimer’s disease
Find information on Alzheimer’s disease which is a common type of dementia.
Dementia with Lewy bodies
Find information on dementia with Lewy bodies which is a common type of dementia.
Vascular dementia
Find information on vascular dementia which is a common type of dementia.
Worried about memory loss?
As you get older, you may find that memory loss becomes a problem. It’s normal for your memory to be affected by things like stress or tiredness.
But, dementia is not a normal part of the ageing process.
Get advice if you’re worried about dementia
Contact your GP practice if:
Memory loss:
- affects your daily life
- is worrying you or someone you know
Common Symptoms
Symptom information is not available for this condition yet.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Diagnosis
Advice if you’ve just had a dementia diagnosis
Get advice and information if you’ve just had a dementia diagnosis.
Living well with dementia
Information and advice on living with dementia.
Caring for someone with dementia
Dementia can affect all aspects of a person’s life, as well as those around them. But, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. There are many places to get advice and support.
Daily living and dementia
Advice on daily living and dementia if you’re living with or caring for someone with dementia.
Personal care in dementia
Advice on personal care in dementia if you’re caring for someone with dementia.
Support if you’re caring for someone with dementia
Get information and advice if you’re caring for someone with dementia.
Support with dementia
There are many organisations that can help if you or someone else is affected by dementia. This includes:
- Alzheimer Scotland
- Age Scotland
- Alzheimer’s Research UK
- Care Information Scotland
- Carers Trust
- Tide
You can get advice on dementia support groups through:
- Meeting Centres
- The Dementia Friendly Communities Network
- Age Scotland
- Alzheimer Scotland
- Carers Scotland forum
Mental health support
Being diagnosed with dementia can be challenging for your mental health and wellbeing, and can impact those close to you.
You can phone the Alzheimer Scotland dementia helpline for support on 0808 808 3000. This helpline is free and is open 24 hours a day.
NHS inform has general advice on managing your mental health and wellbeing. This includes:
- breathing and relaxation exercises
- mindfulness for mental wellbeing
- getting help with your mental health
You can also get support through mental health services at NHS 24 and Mind to Mind.
Let us know what you liked, what you didn’t or what you think is missing by emailing nhs.inform@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk
Please don’t include personal information like your name, location or any personal health conditions.
NHS inform
- About NHS inform
- Editorial policy
- How this information was written
- Webchat
- Info for Me tool
- Terms and conditions
- Freedom of information (FOI)
- Accessibility
- Other languages and formats
- Contact us
© 2026 NHS 24 – v1.1.1.17852
Complications
Many people live well with dementia for years. Because the condition gets worse over time and affects each person differently, it's important to keep doing the things that matter to you.