A clear and accessible explanation of the orchestra analogy as a way of understanding how dementia affects interconnected brain networks over time. This piece explores how different abilities may change at different rates, why coordination becomes harder, and how this perspective can support more compassionate, responsive approaches to care and support.
The words we use to talk about dementia shape how people are viewed, treated, and understood. Terms like “dementia patient” and “dementia sufferer” create powerful mental images rooted in loss, frailty, and dependency. This article explores why language matters, how it can reinforce stigma, and why person-centred terms such as “person living with dementia” better reflect dignity, identity, and lived experience.
An accessible way of understanding what happens in the brain in the later stages of dementia, using the “limp mode” analogy to explain why some abilities reduce over time while emotional responses can remain strong. This piece explores neurological change, emotional safety, and what this means for everyday care and support.
Dementia affects connected brain systems rather than a single isolated area. This post explains how different dementias involve different brain networks, why changes tend to widen over time, and how this understanding supports more inclusive, compassionate responses.
Dementia drug trials are taking place internationally, including in Australia and the UK. This post explains what current research is exploring, why new medicines take so long to reach everyday use, and why UK research is also focusing on repurposing existing drugs — alongside the continuing importance of good care and support.
Dementia becomes more common as people get older, but it is not an inevitable part of ageing. This post sets out how prevalence changes across later life, using both age-banded statistics and clear “1 in X” explanations to support informed, compassionate conversations.
Family history can raise understandable worries about dementia, but genetics rarely tells the full story. This post explains how genetic risk works across different dementias, when inherited forms are relevant, and how to talk about risk in a balanced, compassionate way.
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When someone living with dementia becomes restless, anxious, or withdrawn, it’s not “just dementia” — it’s communication. This article explores how carers can become curious detectives, learning to recognise what behaviour is really telling us and how small changes in environment, routine, and approach can turn distress into calm.
When someone receives a dementia diagnosis, it’s natural to wonder what medications might help. This clear, carer-friendly guide explains the main medicines prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, how they work, and what to expect — including advice on other treatments that may support mood, sleep, and wellbeing.
