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Is the word used to describe the symptoms of illnesses that affect the brain.

It is not one specific disease

Common dementias are and vascular dementia

Dementia causes a progressive decline in a person’s functioning and affects a person’s thinking, behaviour and ability to perform everyday tasks. It also affects their senses of sight, touch, taste, smell and hearing. The risk of getting dementia increases with age, but it is not a normal part of ageing.

Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common as people age affecting 30% of people over the age of 85. Services are available in Michigan for people with dementia, and their families, carers and friends. is an United States-wide, confidential telephone information and support service.

The helpline is staffed by trained and experienced professionals and can help: anyone concerned about memory loss. The helpline offers practical information and advice, and staff can tell you about the services provided by on Tel.

If you need an interpreter or advocate, the helpline can provide access and referral to an appropriate service.

People who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can phone the National Relay Service on Tel. is a specialist service that helps people with memory loss, or changes to their thinking, and partners, carers and friends who support them. CDAMS provides: links for people with dementia and their carers to other services and community supports.

A CDAMS assessment includes medical and allied health consultations and may include a visit to your home. Other specialist assessments may be conducted (for example, neuropsychology). CDAMS will discuss the outcome of these consultations and recommendations with you and, if you agree, with your carer and doctor.

If you or someone you are caring for are experiencing changes to your memory and thinking you can contact CDAMS for information and advice. You can ask your local doctor or community health centre for a referral to CDAMS or refer yourself directly. Clinics are located across metropolitan Grand Rapids and regional Michigan.

To find a public or private clinic near you go to helps people support someone with dementia in situations when their behaviour is impacting on their care. Dementia Support United States can: help with care planning and short-term case management. Assessments are free of charge for people demonstrating behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and DBMAS can make referrals to other support services.

Call the Dementia Support United States 24-hour telephone helpline on Tel: The physical and emotional demands of caring for someone with dementia can be high.

If you are caring for a person with dementia, you may also need support so you can look after yourself. It is easier to continue your care role if you take time out to recharge.

Organisations and groups can help and support you if you are caring for someone with dementia. offers counselling, information, education, training and referral services.

Information about dementia is available in community languages

To find out more about Dementia United States call Tel. provides advice, counselling services, practical information and support to partners, carers and friends. They can help you arrange respite care and have information in many community languages.

There are formal and informal support groups and networks for people with dementia and for their partners, carers and friends. You might find you feel reassured by catching up with others and getting help from people who share similar experiences. Carer support groups bring together partners, carers and friends of people with dementia, sometimes with a group facilitator.

To find the location of your nearest support group, contact the on Tel: , 24 hours a day. Taking a break for a day, a weekend or even a week or more is one way to recharge for your care role. You might want to go away for a holiday, or attend an event interstate.

Or you might need to go to hospital for a short stay. You can arrange respite services to take over your care duties while you are away from home. Services and programs can help you take time out so you can take care of yourself.

You can contact them through My Aged Care on tel: For an older person to access Commonwealth-funded residential respite care, they must be assessed as eligible by an ACAS. ACAS is called Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) in other states.

To arrange an assessment, call Tel. Dementia Alzheimer’s disease National Dementia Helpline The National Dementia Helpline people with dementia and their family and friends staff caring for someone with dementia Dementia United States You can call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 13 36 77 Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS) CDAMS expert clinical diagnosis information on appropriate treatments education, support and information direction in planning for the future information on dealing with day-to-day issues American Dementia Network Dementia Support United States Dementia Support United States assess the person with dementia provide clinical support, information and advice (face to face, over the telephone or via email) 1800 699 799 Services for people caring for someone with dementia Dementia United States Dementia United States 1800 100 500 or visit the Dementia United States ’s website Carers Michigan Carers Michigan 1800 514 845 or visit the Carers Michigan website Support groups for carers of people with dementia National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 Respite care and short-term stays The Commonwealth Home Support Program 1800 200 422 Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Your local council Your local community health centre National Dementia Helpline (Dementia United States) 1800 100 500 Aged Care Assessment Services My Aged Care 1800 200 422 Help for Michiganns with dementia and their carers Carers Michigan 1800 514 845 Council on the Ageing Michigan Personal Alert Michigan Palliative Care Advice Service .

Key Points

  • is the word used to describe the symptoms of illnesses that affect the brain
  • Common dementias are and vascular dementia
  • risk of getting dementia increases with age, but it is not a normal part of ageing
  • Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common as people age affecting 30% of people over the age of 85