What’s the difference between memory loss and dementia?
As we age, many of us will get forgetful. The symptoms of memory loss and dementia can overlap.
Whilst we would always advise seeking professional medical advice if you're worried about your memory, the following information will help you to know if you or a loved one might have dementia or just age-related memory loss.
What is dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that affect the brain. All types of dementia stop your brain cells from working properly in specific areas, affecting their ability to remember, think and speak.
Common symptoms of dementia include memory loss, confusion, and problems with speech and understanding. Symptoms of dementia worsen over time.
You can read more about the different types of dementia >
Testing for dementia
People with symptoms of dementia are able to have cognitive assessments which look at memory and thinking. These may be done initially by a GP.
Although these tests cannot diagnose dementia, they may show there are memory difficulties that can be tested further.
The tests assess a number of different mental abilities, including:
- short- and long-term memory
- concentration and attention span
- language and communication skills
- awareness of time and place (orientation).
Make sure you contact your GP if you are concerned about your memory or that of a family member.
Dementia vs memory loss
Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. Age-related memory loss and dementia are very different conditions, though they may share some overlap in symptoms. Normal forgetfulness is often caused by a lack of focus and it doesn’t progress into anything serious. Dementia, on the other hand, will get worse over time.
Memory loss, though common, is not the only sign of dementia. Dementia symptoms include the loss of cognitive functions like remembering, learning, thinking, and reasoning.
The Alzheimer’s Society has written a helpful article on 5 things you should know about dementia >
Organisations that can help you
- Call the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456. Or if you speak Welsh, call the Welsh-speaking support line on 03300 947 400. (Monday to Wednesday: 9am – 8pm, Thursday and Friday: 9am – 5pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 4pm).
- Sign up to Talking Point, an online community for anyone affected by dementia. You can share experiences and get support 24/7.
- Dementia UK have a free dementia helpline on 0800 888 6678 (Monday to Friday: 9am-9pm, Weekends 9am-5pm).
- MHA Dementia training – attend our free 1.5 hour Zoom training sessions
