Information and public services for the Island of Jersey
L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri
​Dementia is the word given to changes in your memory, thinking, language and behaviour.
​Dementia is caused by diseases that damage your brain.
The most common type of dementia is caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
​When you have Alzheimer’s disease cells in the brain begin to die and cannot grow again.
​Who can get dementia?
​Men and women get dementia.
​Most people who get dementia are older but it is not a normal part of ageing.
Younger people can sometimes get dementia.
​People with learning disabilities and Downs syndrome are more likely to get dementia when they are younger.
​You cannot catch dementia from another person.
​How dementia affects people
​Dementia makes remembering things difficult.
You may forget names or where you have put things.
​Dementia can change how you feel and behave.
You might feel sad or angry or get confused.
​You might find it hard to do activities like cooking, shopping or getting dressed.
​How to find out if you have dementia
​If you are worried about your memory you can talk to your doctor, nurse or social worker.
The Adult Learning Disability Team are here to help you.
​They can ask for you to have a dementia screening assessment.
An assessment means you will be asked some questions to see how you remember, think and do things.
​The assessment will be at your home and you need to have someone with you who knows you very well.
​After the first assessment you will get a report to tell you what will happen next.
​You will be put on a waiting list for a health check.
This is to see if you have any health problems that are causing your memory loss.
​If you are worried about your memory at any time you must call your doctor.
​If your memory loss is not from other health problems.
You might be asked to go to the memory clinic for more tests.
​You might be asked to go for a scan of your brain.
This helps the doctors to see what your brain looks like.
​There might be medicines that can help you keep doing everyday things for longer.
Your doctor will talk to you about these.
​Staying well
​There are things you can do to stay well.
​Keep active and get lots of exercise.
Wear a helmet when you cycle your bike, this will keep your head safe.
​Eat healthy food and do not drink too much alcohol or sugary drinks.
Keep a healthy weight.
It is better not to smoke.
​Look after your hearing.
Sleep well.
​See family and friends.
Learn new things.
​For more information
Contact Dementia Jersey:
+44 (0) 1534 723519
info@dementia.je
+44 (0) 1534 445600
learningdisabilityservice@health.gov.je
Adult Learning Disability Service Government of Jersey Union Street St Helier Jersey JE2 3DN
gov.je