Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK.
Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. It can affect memory, thinking skills and other mental abilities.
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not yet fully understood, although a number of things are thought to increase your risk of developing the condition.
These include:
- increasing age
- a family history of the condition
- untreated depression, although depression can also be one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
- lifestyle factors and conditions associated with cardiovascular disease
Read more about the causes of Alzheimer’s disease.
Signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition, which means the symptoms develop gradually over many years and eventually become more severe. It affects multiple brain functions.
The first sign of Alzheimer’s disease is usually minor memory problems.
For example, this could be forgetting about recent conversations or events, and forgetting the names of places and objects.
As the condition develops, memory problems become more severe and further symptoms can develop, such as:
- confusion, disorientation and getting lost in familiar places
- difficulty planning or making decisions
- problems with speech and language
- problems moving around without assistance or performing self-care tasks
- personality changes, such as becoming aggressive, demanding and suspicious of others
- hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there) and delusions (believing things that are untrue)
- low mood or anxiety
Read more about the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
The above information is taken from NHS website
Support
Alzheimer’s Society – Support and advice for anyone affected by dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society website has a wealth of information and recourses.
Face to Face Services – The Alzheimer’s Societies local dementia advisors and volunteers can meet you either at home or your place of choice to offer support, advice and information. They are also able to connect you to other face-to-face services in your area. These include Singing for the Brain®, activity groups and peer support for people with dementia
Support Line – 0333 150 3456 – The Dementia Support line is open seven days a week, where advisers are available to listen, give support and connect you to help that you need within your local area. Information is available in any format that is right for you and they are able to arrange simultaneous language translation where needed, this can be done by calling the support line number and saying the English word for the language you would like to use, end the call and then wait. An interpreter will usually call you back within five minutes. There is also a service for if you have a speech or hearing impairment, you can use the Text Relay service on 18001 0333 150 3456
Website – Alzheimers.org.uk
Lasting Power Of Attorney – The Alzheimer’s Society offers a Lasting Power of Attorney digital assistance service to help people living with dementia create LPAs online. If you do not have access to the internet they are also able to provide support through a series of telephone appointments. Please note this service doesn’t provide legal advice.
Carers for people with dementia struggling in silence – read the article here
Broxtowe Dementia Directory 2025 – download your copy here
Newark Hospital
Kings Mill Hospital
Dementia uk – Advice, support or information about caring for someone with dementia. Call 0800 888 6678. Website – dementiauk.org
Dementia Studio – a place to create and connect for people with dementia and their carers.
Website – dementiastudio.org Call – 0754 353 4336 e-mail – admin@dementiastudio.org
Gedling & Hucknall Dementia Directory click on the following link to download the directory – Gedling & Hucknall Dementia Directory
The Rainbow Care Group – Specialist Dementia Care – Dementia Care Nottingham | Dementia Support | The Rainbow Care Group
Trent Dementia – A charity trying to improve the quality of life for People Living with Dementia website – https://www.trentdementia.org.uk/
Website – trentdementia.org.uk
Meets Monthly on Weds (see flyer for dates). Nottingham City
Radford Care Group Radford Care Group offers daytime activities for older people in Nottingham, with extended facilities for the more frail elderly. They are a registered charity that has provided a service to older people since 1968. They organise activities such as exercise, arts and crafts, speakers, entertainment, short and long day trips out, as well as linking up with other services to offer even more
Call – 0115 978 6133. e-mail radfordcaregroup.org.uk. Website – Radfordcaregroup.org.uk
Stapleford Memory Cafe A voluntary group, where carers and their loved ones living with dementia or memory loss can meet, sing, play quizzes and crafts. Their aim is to stimulate the brain in a fun way, to meet and support each other.
Meets every other Weds from 2pm – 3.30pm, Equalised Club, Albert Avenue, Stapleford, NG9 8ET. Call 07796 651950. e-mail jayne.daykin@ntlworld.com
Singing for the Brain
Singing Groups For People Living With Dementia In Gedling | Ask Lion – Nottingham City Directory
Alzheimer’s society – Singing for the Brain – Gedling (County) | Alzheimer’s Society
Contact Name – Angela O’Neill, Contact Position – Singing for the Brain Leader, Telephone – 07718 697246. E-mail – angela.o’neill@alzheimers.org.uk, Website – Singing for the Brain Webpage