Memory Loss
What is dementia?

Dementia is not a single disease but a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and daily functioning.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, but all dementias are caused by damage to brain cells that impacts how the brain works.

Memory loss disease can be life-altering, affecting individuals, families, and communities.

Dementia in Canada
As of January 2025, there are nearly 1 million people in Canada living with some form of dementia.

 

  • Every day, more than 414 people in Canada develop dementia.
  • This is more than 17 every hour. By 2030, nearly 1 million people in Canada could live with dementia.
  • Current projects suggest that 6.3 million people in Canada will develop, live with and/or ultimately die with dementia from now until 2050.

 

Source: Alzheimer Society of Canada 

There are many changes in the brain that occur with dementia. Research has to date discovered the following:
  • abnormal proteins in the brain
  • reduced blood supply to the brain
  • nerve cells in the brain that stop working properly
Dementia Symptoms

Dementia is a chronic condition that gets more severe over time.

Visible decline in:

memory

planning

language

judgment

Changes in behaviour:
  • Acting out of character when faced with decision-making
  • Increased irritability
  • Difficulties with emotional regulation and social cues
Possible physical changes:
  • Coordination difficulties
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control
  • Weak and stiff muscles
  • Trouble standing, sitting or walking
Common Types of Dementia
Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60-70% of cases.

Early signs of Alzheimer disease include minor memory issues, such as forgetting new information and having difficulty completing familiar tasks.

Vascular dementia

Vascular dementia is associated with problems with blood flow to the brain, which damages brain cells.

Causes for vascular dementia may include: stroke, brain aneurysm, narrowed blood vessels, and other cerebrovascular conditions.

Frontotemporal

Frontotemporal dementia affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.

Damage to nerve cells in these areas can limit interactions with other parts of the brain, often affecting behaviour, personality, movement and basic communication.

Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy body dementia is a neurodegenerative disease associated with abnormal proteins in the brain, also observed in Alzheimer disease and Parkinson's.

Examples of symptoms can be tremors, balance issues, shaking and episodes of hallucination.

It is common for individuals to have markers of more than one type of dementia, known as mixed dementia.

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