Donate now See menu Shop Support line Search Home About dementia Dementia symptoms and diagnosis Dementia symptoms and diagnosis Find information on some common symptoms of dementia, how it differs from normal ageing and how to go about getting a diagnosis. Advice Symptoms Dementia can cause a number of different symptoms. Here we explain some of these changes and suggest practical ways to manage them. Advice Diagnosis If you or someone close to you is experiencing changes such as significant memory loss, confusion or language difficulties, it’s a good idea to visit your GP for an assessment. Advice How dementia progresses Find out more about the way dementia progresses, including what to expect at different stages of the condition. Advice Dementia and the brain Knowing more about the brain and how it can change can help to understand the symptoms of dementia. It can help a person with dementia to live well, or to support a person with dementia to live well. Advice Normal ageing vs dementia We explain the difference between normal ageing and dementia, including examples of potential symptoms for three common types of dementia - Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and mixed dementia. Sign up to get twice-monthly e-newsletter updates from Alzheimer’s Society. You can change what you receive at any time and we will never sell your details to third parties. Here’s our Privacy Policy. Useful links Jobs Working for us Contact us Publications and factsheets Training and conferences Blog Legal information Cookies Report a website problem Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube All content © 2021 Alzheimer's Society. Registered office at Alzheimer's Society, 43-44 Crutched Friars, London, EC3N 2AE Alzheimer's Society is a registered Charity No. 296645. Registered as a company limited by guarantee and registered in England No. 2115499