Many older people use to have a slight loss of memory that does not significantly affect their daily lives. But in case the memory loss gets worse it may mean that one has dementia. Dementia is a loss of mental skills and abilities that most usually occurs late in lives of 5-8% of all older people over the age of 65 (the percentage increases parallel with the age). This disease may change a person's mood and personality as well. At first, memory loss and trouble thinking clearly may bother the person who has dementia. Later, disruptive behavior and other problems may start. The demented person may not be aware of these problems. Here are some common signs of dementia:

Personality changes. Becoming irritable, suspicious or fearful.

Changes in mood. Having fast mood swings, going from calm to tears to anger in a few minutes.

Problems with language. The one who has dementia may forget simple words, phrases and replace them with the wrong ones that makes it quite complicated to explain what they want.

Recent memory loss. Demented people often forget things and they might ask you the same question over and over, each time forgetting that you've already given them the answer. They won't even remember that they already asked the question.

Dementia is caused by damage to or changes in the brain cells. Some people have a family history of dementia. Factors that can cause dementia include: Alzheimer’s disease, accounts for 50-75%, blood vessel disease 20-30% is due to ("multi-infarct dementia" or "mini-strokes"), the remaining cases result from a variety of less common disorders.

In some cases, dementia may be caused by a problem that can be treated. For example, having an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), not getting enough vitamin B12, and fluid buildup in the brain (normal-pressure hydrocephalus). In the above-mentioned cases, treating the problem itself may cure the dementia as well.

As one gets older, medicines may affect him or her more. Taking some medicines at the same time may cause symptoms similar with dementia. Therefore, it is desirable that one's doctor knows about all of the medicines you take. We can also observe the cases when depression can cause memory loss that seems like dementia. Depression can be treated.

Coming to dementia diagnosis, there is no single test for it. To diagnose it, the doctor should expose the patient to the following procedures: to provide with a detailed medical history, a thorough physical and neurological examination, laboratory tests, including a variety of blood and urine tests called a 'dementia screen', a mental status test to check a range of intellectual functions and psychiatric assessment to identify treatable disorders.

Once the dementia is found out the patient should take all the measures to prevent its further development. Subject to the cause of the dementia, different treatments are available. For example, if dementia was caused by severe hypothyroidism, the treatment will be thyroid hormone replacement. But unfortunately, during last few years there was little that could be done in order to alter the course caused by Alzheimer’s disease. And even if the medicines one takes for dementia cannot cure it, still they can slow it down for a while and make it easier to live with. As dementia gets worse, a person may get depressed or angry and upset. Medicines can help.

Due to required intensive care, demented person's family and friends should be aware of all patient's needs and be patient themselves while communicating to the diseased.

Caring for an individual with dementia almost always challenges family resources. Licensed social service providers at hospitals and facilities for the elderly can provide information and referrals regarding support groutal health agencies, community resources, and personal care providers to assist families in caring for a person with dementia.