At Deckchair Care, Alzheimer’s disease is a subject close to our hearts. We recognise the importance of understanding dementia and providing our staff with ongoing training, enabling them to provide high-quality care to our clients living with the disease.
Our team use their knowledge and training to provide compassionate, person-centred support, so they can make a meaningful difference to the lives of those living with the condition.
WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
There are almost one million people in the UK living with dementia (NHS, 2023). Alzheimer’s disease
is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for approximately two thirds of cases (Alzheimer’s Society, 2024). Like all forms of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition – meaning symptoms get gradually worse over time. Traditionally starting with minor memory difficulties, the disease can develop to include more severe symptoms, such as:
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Difficulty with decision-making and planning
- Speech and language problems
- Mobility issues
- Behavioural changes
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Low mood and anxiety
(NHS, 2024)
ALZHEIMER’S VS DEMENTIA
Dementia is an umbrella term for progressive diseases that are typically related by symptoms of declining cognitive abilities like thinking, problem solving, memory, mood, and behaviour (Alzheimer’s Society, 2024). Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.
STAGES AND SYMPTOMS
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease – meaning the symptoms gradually increase in severity. Although each individual experiences symptoms of Alzheimer’s differently, the disease typically progresses in three stages: early, middle and late (or mild, moderate and severe) (Alzheimer’s Association, n.d.). The period before signs of the disease present – when the changes in the brain begin – is called preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. On average, the lifespan of an individual post-diagnosis is four to eight years but some individuals can live up to twenty years after a diagnosis.
During the first stage of Alzheimer’s disease the main symptom is memory lapses, which can present itself as a difficulty recalling familiar words or forgetting where everyday items are. There might also be some mild changes in mood, perception, thinking, reasoning, or language. As the stages progress, these symptoms develop and can lead to:
- Struggling with daily life and requiring constant care
- Worse changes in behaviour
- Becoming more vulnerable to infection
- Struggling communicating
- Severe agitation, especially later in the day (sundowning)
- Memory continuing to worsen
CAUSE AND PREVENTION
The exact causes and prevention methods of Alzheimer’s disease are unknown, but evidence suggests a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk. Risk factors may include cardiovascular disease, hearing loss, depression, loneliness, or sedentariness (NHS, 2024).
To learn about the ways to reduce the risks, visit the NHS website.
REFERENCES
Alzheimer’s Society (2024) ‘What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?’, Alzheimer’s Society. Available at: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/difference-between-dementia-alzheimers-disease (Accessed: 17 August 2026).
Alzheimer’s Association (n.d.) ‘Stages of Alzheimer’s’, Alzheimer’s Association. Available at: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/stages (Accessed: 18 August 2026).
NHS (2024) ‘Alzheimer’s disease’, NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alzheimers-disease/ (Accessed: 17 August 2026).
NHS (2023) ‘What is dementia?’, NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/about-dementia/what-is-dementia/ (Accessed: 17 August 2026).
NHS (n.d.) ‘Alzheimer’s disease – Prevention’, NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alzheimers-disease/prevention/ (Accessed: 18 August 2026).