• Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common types of dementia, mainly caused by certain changes in brain function. In the beginning, it affects a person’s short-term memory and as the disease progresses it can bring up long-term memory loss and even cause difficulties when walking and talking, as well as creating personality changes.
• Lewy body dementia is caused by damage in the brain created by faulty clumps of Lewy Bodies proteins, which with time build up in the brain cells. This illness splits up the nerve connections and reduces the levels of important chemicals and slows down the signals in the brain. It usually develops slowly, therefore the most detrimental symptoms are usually spotted among the elderly.
• Frontotemporal dementia is caused when brain cells are damaged by a formation of abnormal protein clumps. This specific form of dementia can lead to significant shifts in personality, heightened antisocial acts, diminished empathy, and the decline or impairment of speech and language abilities. As the illness advances, memory issues start to appear, along with potential challenges to physical and mental well-being.
• Vascular dementia is primarily caused by cardiovascular problems, including stroke, high blood pressure, or limited blood flow to the brain. The impact of symptoms varies according to the extent of brain affected. This form of dementia follows a non-linear progression, with symptoms fluctuating between sudden deterioration and periods of stability before worsening once more.
• Mixed dementia occurs in patients, who are affected by more than one type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia are the most common combination, but there are other possible ones too. The symptoms of this disease can differ from person to person, depending on the main type of dementia affecting them.

A variety of different factors can affect someone’s chances of developing dementia, as different types of it manifest through unique symptoms, which also vary from patient to patient. However, some of the more commonly noticed predictors have been underlined:

• Age – although older age is not a definite cause of dementia, it is more common among the elderly. Such is because of other health issues, which often increase cognitive decline, as well as create physical health problems and in some cases, even mental health issues.
• Genetics – although it is not extremely common to inherit dementia directly from family members, it is possible to inherit other disorders affecting the possibility of developing a type of dementia.
• Lifestyle – poor lifestyle choices and habits, such as excessive alcohol use and regular smoking increase the risk of developing dementia. Regular exposure to air pollution also greatly increases the risk of future cognitive decline.
• Poor heart health – hindered cardiovascular health and issues like – high blood pressure and high cholesterol is known to increase the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.
• Traumatic brain injuries – patients, who have suffered from severe or repeated head injuries, have a higher chance of developing dementia symptoms. As head trauma can cause bleeding, swelling, inflammation, and injuries to brain nerve fibers.

The first and exact signs of dementia are truly hard to pinpoint, as this disease differs so much from person to person. However, some more common symptoms of early dementia in patients can be looked out for. Such indicators are mostly noticed across the spectrum of memory loss, deterioration of attention span and communication skills. These issues can frequently arise as patients experience difficulties recalling the names of their close family members and old memories. They may also get disoriented in familiar areas and struggle to perform daily tasks without assistance. Recognising signs of cognitive decline, such as sudden mood shifts or behaviour changes, is crucial. While there is no cure for dementia, there are medications, treatments, and support services that can help maintain cognitive function for a longer time.

Seeing your close one’s personality and behaviours change and become unfamiliar can bring many emotions upon the family caregivers, relatives, and friends. Such feelings as guilt, grief, loss, and anger are completely natural when entering this new chapter of life. It is crucial not to keep those feelings bottled up, confiding in loved ones, friends and care specialists can be a beneficial solution, as carrying all of these feelings on your own may take a toll on your mental health. Although every individual will react differently, it is important to know you are not alone if you find yourself feeling low and overwhelmed by the new responsibility. In such situations, communication and expressing what support you may need from your close ones becomes crucial, as other family members may not be able to fully understand how to help. Taking on a caregiving role is never easy and family carers should not feel guilty about asking for help or joining support groups.