The 5 most common types of dementia

Dementia is a condition that causes changes in behaviour, memory, movement, thought processes and speech. It is highly prevalent in the UK, with an estimated one million people living with the condition.  In Gloucestershire alone, it is estimated that in 2025, more than 11,000 people will be living with some form of the condition. 

However, despite how common the condition is, it remains widely misunderstood. This is because the term ‘dementia’ encompasses multiple different variations of the condition, each with their own symptoms and causes.  

It can be overwhelming trying to grapple with such a complex topic, so it can be helpful to start with the basics. A good starting point is to learn about the 5 most common types of dementia. Read more about which types of dementia are the most common, what causes them, and the symptoms associated with each one. 

Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia 

Alzheimer’s is the most common type of the dementia in the UK, with Alzheimer’s making up an estimated two of every three cases of dementia. It is a progressive condition, meaning that symptoms often start out as mild and get progressively worse over time.  

Risk Factors

It is not yet known exactly what causes Alzheimer’s, but there are a number of factors believed to increase your risk of developing the condition, including:  

• A family history of Alzheimer’s 

• Increasing age 

• Untreated depression 

• Lifestyle factors 

Symptoms 

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s are often mild to begin with, so it can be tricky to spot them. The main symptoms to look out for are: 

Confusion & disorientation: A person with Alzheimer’s may become confused about time, places, or even faces of those they know. For example, they might forget what day it is, get lost in their own neighbourhood during a routine walk, or enter a familiar room like the kitchen and forget why they went there. They might also confuse family members and loved ones for someone else, especially if they haven’t seen that person in a while. 

Difficulty making decisions: Making choices can feel more overwhelming and is particularly noticeable when deciding on relatively simple things. The person may be unable to decide on appropriate clothes to wear for the weather, or stand in a supermarket aisle unsure about what item to buy. They might become distressed when asked to make a decision, such as what they would like to eat, as they feel unable to compare different options or express their preference. 

Problems with speech & language: Someone with Alzheimer’s may struggle to find the right words, repeat themselves, or lose their train of thought more frequently. You might notice them referring to common items vaguely with filler phrases like “thingy” or “you know” when talking about everyday objects, such as a phone. They might pause mid-sentence and be unsure how to continue or ask the same question repeatedly in a short span of time without realising it. 

Difficulty with mobility: Alzheimer’s can affect people’s physical coordination and the ability to carry out everyday activities. Tasks that require fine motor skills such as brushing teeth, using cutlery at mealtimes, or buttoning a shirt when getting dressed can become more challenging. The person may also move more slowly or awkwardly when walking, sometimes referred to as a “shuffling gait”. They may also need help getting out of chairs. 

Hallucinations: Some people with Alzheimer’s experience hallucinations. This is when they see or hear things that aren’t really there. Hallucinations can be simple (seeing flashing lights) or more complex (seeing people or animals that are not there). While these things are not actually real, they feel very real to the person experiencing them and can be very distressing or aggravating. 

Low mood & anxiety: Changes in mood are common and may include withdrawal, sadness, or increased anxiety. For example, a once sociable person might stop attending their weekly group activity and stop communicating with friends. The person may become tearful or irritable for no clear reason or become nervous and agitated if their routine is disrupted. 

Changes in behaviour: People often gradually become more irritable, suspicious, or can sometimes even be aggressive. They might lash out during moments of confusion (like accusing loved ones of stealing misplaced items) or develop compulsive habits like pacing or hoarding seemingly random objects. 

These symptoms can be distressing to both the person experiencing them and those around them. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or someone else, it is important to seek medical advice, so that the person and their loved ones can get the support the need. 

How to Support Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease 

The particular symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, especially those impacting mood, personality and behaviour, can make caring for someone living with the condition very challenging. Some important things to consider are:  

• Adjustments to their home to enable easier mobility, such as handrails.  

• Respecting and following their preferred routine as much as is reasonable, especially if disruption to this routine causes distress or anxiety.  

• Include memory aids throughout their home, such as labels on cupboard doors or signs on the toilet or bathroom door so they know where things are.  

Vascular Dementia 

Vascular dementia affects about 180,000 people in the UK, and is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, which eventually results in the damage and eventual death of brain cells. This in turn leads to changes in thought patterns, mood and concentration. 

Causes & Risk Factors

• Suffering a stroke or ‘mini stroke’ 

• Narrowing and blockage of blood vessels 

These causes are often linked to underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes. 

Symptoms

Slowness of thought
You might notice that the person takes much longer to process information, make decisions, or respond in conversation. They may appear to be “lost in thought” or struggle to keep up with conversations or tasks that were once easy for them. 

Feeling disorientated and confused
They may become unsure of where they are, what day it is, or what they were just doing. This confusion can come and go or be worse at certain times of day, often leading to anxiety or distress, especially in unfamiliar places. 

Memory loss (amnesia) and difficulty concentrating
They may forget recent conversations, events, or appointments, and often struggle to focus on tasks like reading or following instructions. You might notice them losing track mid-sentence or asking the same questions repeatedly. 

Difficulty finding the right words
They may pause often during conversations, searching for words or using incorrect ones. This can make it hard for them to express themselves clearly, which may lead to frustration or withdrawal from social situations. 

Personality changes, such as becoming aggressive
The person might behave in ways that feel very unlike them – such as becoming angry, suspicious, or easily upset. These changes can be especially upsetting for loved ones, but they are often caused by damage to parts of the brain that control emotions and behaviour. 

Mood swings and lack of interest or enthusiasm
You may notice the person withdrawing from activities they once enjoyed, showing less emotional expression, or seeming ‘flat’ or unmotivated. Their mood might shift quickly, and they could appear tearful, irritable, or unusually quiet. These symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for depression, but it is important to seek medical advice to check for dementia.  

Finding it difficult to walk and keep balance
Walking may become slower or unsteady, and they may shuffle their feet or need help getting around. You might notice more frequent trips or falls, which can increase the risk of injury. 

Loss of bladder control (incontinence)
They may begin having accidents or needing to use the toilet more urgently or frequently. This can be distressing for them and may require sensitive support to manage with dignity. 

Increasing difficulty with daily activities
Tasks like cooking, managing money, dressing, or using household appliances may become confusing or overwhelming. They might need reminders or hands-on help with things they used to do independently. 

Some people also have some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
This means they may also experience problems like more severe memory loss, getting lost in familiar places, or struggling with reasoning and judgement, in addition to the above symptoms. 

How to Care for Someone with Vascular Dementia

As a carer, you can help the person maintain a level of independence and even slow the progress of vascular dementia. This can include: 

• Supporting and encouraging the person to make changes to their lifestyle, such as: 

• Feeding them a healthy, balanced diet  

• Losing weight by taking them to specialist exercise classes or accompanying them on walks 

• Administer and manage any medication they are prescribed for high blood pressure, cholesterol or to prevent blood clots 

• Assisting in day-to-day activities like getting dressed, personal care or helping with cooking and household chores 

• Accompanying them to and organising recommended physical therapy sessions, like physiotherapies, as well as psychological therapies 

Lewy Body Dementia 

Also known as Dementia with Lewy bodies (LBD) is thought to account for 10-15% of all dementia cases, with 10% of young-onset dementia cases being dementia with Lewy bodies, according to Dementia UK. Lewy body dementia is made up of two subtypes: dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s dementia.  

Causes & Risk Factors

Lewy body dementia is caused by the development of proteins (called Lewy bodies) inside the brain cells, especially in areas of the brain that affect thought and movement. It is not yet clear why these proteins develop and how exactly they cause damage to the brain. It most commonly occurs in those with no family history of the condition, although there are some cases where this is not the case. 

Symptoms

Visual hallucinations
The person may see things that aren’t really there, including people, animals, or shapes. These hallucinations can seem very real to them and may be pleasant or distressing. They may talk to or react to things you can’t see, which can be confusing or upsetting for both the person and their carers. 

Disturbed sleep
You might notice them moving, talking, or even shouting during sleep. This is common in Lewy body dementia and is known as REM sleep behaviour disorder. They may act out their dreams or thrash around, which may disrupt both their sleep and yours, resulting in daytime tiredness becoming common. 

Fluctuating energy and engagement levels
The person may suddenly become very tired, quiet, or mentally “switched off” for minutes or hours, even in the middle of conversations or activities. These periods can come and go unexpectedly and may be mistaken for boredom or disinterest. 

Tremors
You might see their hands, arms, or legs shaking, especially when they’re resting. These tremors can make tasks like eating, writing, or holding objects more difficult, and they may feel embarrassed or frustrated by the loss of control. 

Slowed movement and difficulty walking
Their movements may become stiff, slow, or awkward, reflective of shuffling gate. It might take them longer to stand up, turn around, or move from room to room, and their posture may become stooped. 

Problems with balance
They may appear unsteady on their feet or sway even when standing still. They might also have difficulty judging changes in surface levels like steps and curbs. This increases the risk of falls and injuries, so they might require more assistance when moving around or using stairs. 

Bowel and bladder problems
The person may begin showing signs of incontinence and need to wear sanitary products on a regular basis. They may also suddenly have to go to the toilet urgently and may have accidents that cannot be attributed to a physical condition.  

Difficulty swallowing
They may cough or choke while eating or drinking, take longer to swallow food, or avoid eating altogether due to fear or discomfort. This can lead to weight loss or dehydration, so it’s important to watch for these signs and speak with a healthcare professional if they appear. 

How to Care for Someone with Lewy Body Dementia

When caring for someone with this kind of dementia, caring responsibilities may include: 

• Monitoring and administering medications they have been prescribed 

• Accompanying them or helping them to organise therapy sessions, such as physiotherapy and psychological therapies 

• Accompanying them and encouraging them to attend dementia social groups and activities 

• Installing or planning home modifications to support mobility and independence, such as adding handrails to bathrooms and hallways or installing motion sensor lighting 

• Assisting them with things like eating and drinking to lower the risk of choking, and encouraging them to drink enough fluids 

• Taking an empathetic and patient approach to emotionally support the person, as these symptoms are likely to cause them some distress and embarrassment.  

Frontotemporal Dementia 

Frontotemporal dementia refers to a group of dementias that mainly affect the front and temporal lobes of the brain. A family history of the condition accounts for about one third of those with the condition. 

Causes & Risk Factors

Frontotemporal dementia is caused by the build-up of abnormal proteins in the brain, affecting its functioning. A number of factors can increase your risk of developing frontotemporal dementia: 

• Being aged between 40 and 60 

• Having a family history of frontotemporal dementia  

Symptoms

There are two types of frontotemporal dementia, each with their own unique symptoms.  

Behavioural Variant Frontotemporal Dementia

This type of frontotemporal dementia tends to impact behaviour. Symptoms include: 

Impulsivity and loss or lack of inhibition
The person might say or do things suddenly without thinking that seem out of character or inappropriate. They might speak bluntly or harshly, interrupt conversations, or make rude or sexual comments. They may also act in socially inappropriate ways, for example, undressing in public or spending money impulsively. This isn’t intentional rudeness, but a sign of changes in the brain that affect self-control. 

Apathy
The person may lose interest in things like hobbies, work or even personal relationships They might become unmotivated, or seem emotionally “flat.” These symptoms can easily be mistaken for laziness or depression, but in fact they are signs of changes in the brain that affect the person’s ability to care about or initiate things. They might need prompting to eat, get dressed, or take part in social events, even if they previously enjoyed these things.

Lack of concern for others
The person might display a reduced sense of empathy and might no longer recognise or respond to others’ feelings. They may appear cold, indifferent, or self-centred, even with close family members. They may also not recognise if something they have said or done has angered or upset someone else, and might respond differently to things, such as laughing at something they would have previously found upsetting.  

Compulsive behaviours
The person may begin repeating the same words, movements, or routines over and over again. This may include repeating certain phrases frequently, collecting and hoarding objects, pacing the room, or rubbing their hands constantly. These behaviours may not make sense to others, but they often provide a sense of comfort or control for the person. 

Primary Progressive Aphasia

While Behavioural Variant Frontotemporal Dementia tends to impact behaviour, Primary Progressive Aphasia usually affects language. Symptoms can be broken down into two categories: 

Semantic variant primary progressive aphasia

Trouble understanding spoken or written language, especially individual words
The person may struggle to follow conversations, instructions, or written materials, especially when unfamiliar words are used. You might notice them seeming confused when people speak, such as furrowing their brows, not reacting appropriately or at all, or asking for things to be repeated often. They may appear to “tune out” of the conversation, but in reality they are having difficulty making sense of the words. 

Difficulty naming objects
The person can often clearly recognise what an object is but be unable to name it. For example, pointing at a “watch” and saying “thingy” or “timer.” They might describe objects instead of using their names, e.g. “the thing you wear on your wrist to tell the time”.  

Difficulty spelling words
You may notice they use unusual or inconsistent spelling, even for simple or familiar words. This can show up in writing shopping lists, notes, or messages. Words might be missing letters, written phonetically (how they sound), or replaced with other words altogether. This may be frustrating for the person and can make written communication harder over time. 

Logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia

Trouble understanding spoken language
The person may struggle to follow conversations, particularly when longer or more sophisticated words are used. They might misunderstand what is being said, even if they seem to hear the words clearly. This can lead to confusion or odd responses to social scenarios, especially in fast-paced conversations or noisy environments. 

Pausing and hesitating while speaking
You may notice them frequently pausing mid-sentence, searching for the right words, or starting and stopping when talking. This can make conversations slow and frustrating, both for them and for the person listening. These pauses are often due to difficulty retrieving words, not a lack of understanding or effort. 

Unable to repeat phrases or sentences
You may find the person is unable to repeat a sentence you just said – even a simple one. This isn’t due to hearing problems, but rather a breakdown in how their brain processes and reproduces spoken language. They might repeat only part of what you said or substitute words without realising it. 

How to Care for Someone with Frontotemporal Dementia

Caring for someone with frontotemporal dementia can involve helping manage medications and accompanying them and encouraging them to attend certain therapies or activities. Some of the ways you may care for them include: 

• Monitoring and administering medicines prescribed to manage behaviour problems 

• Accompanying them and encouraging them to attend certain therapies, e.g. physiotherapy, speech and language therapy 

• Accompanying them to dementia activity groups like memory cafés 

• Being patient when the person is looking for the correct words in a conversation or misspells something. This can help prevent the person becoming agitated or upset 

Mixed Dementia 

Mixed Dementia describes a diagnosis where a person has a combination of two types of dementia, instead of just one. The most common combination is Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.  

Causes & Risk Factors

The cause of mixed dementia will depend on the specific types of dementia.  

In the case of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, risk factors include old age, high blood pressure and damage to blood vessels in the brain – a mixture of causes of both types of dementia. 

Symptoms

Someone with mixed dementia will experience a mixture of symptoms of both types of dementia, so symptoms will be unique depending on what combination of dementias they have.  

Treatment & Outlook

Treatment will depend on the types of symptoms the person is experiencing. For example, if the person’s symptoms are more like Alzheimer’s, they may be prescribed medication and offered other treatments known to help those living with Alzheimer’s. 

The treatment will be highly personalised depending on the person’s unique diagnosis and symptoms. 

Dementia Care at Lilian Faithfull

At Lilian Faithfull, we understand that dementia affects the lives of not just those living with it, but also the people around them who love and care for them. It can be an emotional and often overwhelming journey which no one should have to face alone. We’re here to walk alongside you, offering expert support, heartfelt compassion and reassurance every step of the way.  

Our specialist dementia care is designed to help people live well  with dementia, focusing on comfort, dignity and day-to-day wellbeing. From tailored, personalised care to meaningful activities and dementia friendly surroundings, we create environments that support independence and nurture a sense of belonging. 

Our Royal Court home has been beautifully refurbished to offer a safe, familiar and welcoming space specifically designed for those living with dementia. Featuring thoughtfully tailored dementia communities, a calming sensory room, and tranquillity gardens, these shared spaces encourage wellbeing, creativity and social engagement. 

Learn more about Royal Court today.