ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this chapter is to explain the different types of dementia that commonly affect people such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia and to highlight the fact that, as people age, they are more likely to experience multiple comorbidities (therefore not just living with dementia but also other illnesses and disabilities). Some of the better known rarer forms such as dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal and Korsakoff’s syndrome are also discussed. Another purpose is to discuss the impact of living with the different types of dementia on the person and those around them. For example, certain symptoms and effects such as ‘sundowning’ and ‘confabulation’ are discussed. Case studies and links to online videos are provided to put a human face to a lot of medical content. Some of the main medical treatments are discussed as well as some other non-medical interventions. Other issues discussed are the higher risk of people with Down’s syndrome, the risks associated with polypharmacy and harmful drug interactions and the risks to the person of failing to diagnose and treat comorbidities.
