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In the UK, the number of people living with dementia was estimated to be close to one million in 2024 (982,000), by 2040 this figure is expected to rise to 1.4 million. 65% of the 982,000 people living with dementia in the UK are women, and 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 have dementia. Globally, 55 million people are living with dementia worldwide.
According to research by the Office of Health Economics (OHE) for Alzheimer’s Research UK, one in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime, either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both.
Dementia is a progressive condition that significantly impacts cognitive functions, memory and daily living activities. Getting a dementia diagnosis is key to unlocking access to personalised care and support, as well as accessing treatments that can help to control symptoms. A diagnosis helps enable people to plan ahead and identify any potential ways to manage and improve their brain health.
Effective management of dementia involves a multifaceted approach, with memory care and therapeutic interventions playing a crucial role. This article will explore the importance of these strategies in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with dementia. It will provide insights into various memory care techniques and therapeutic interventions, highlighting their benefits and practical applications in dementia management.

Introduction to Dementia
Dementia is a set of behaviours or symptoms which suggest difficulties with cognitive function. Cognitive functioning involves the ability to perceive and react, process and understand, and make decisions and produce appropriate responses to the environment. The brain, like the rest of the body, changes with age. Many people notice they become more forgetful as they age; it may take longer to think of a word or recall a person’s name. The most common symptoms of difficulties with cognitive function in dementia include, but are not limited to:
Memory loss – this affects everyone differently but many people with dementia experience some of the following:
- Forgetting things more often such as people’s names or objects, appointments or anniversaries
- Struggling to find the right word in a conversation
- Losing or misplacing items such as keys or glasses
- Getting lost in familiar surroundings or on familiar journeys
- Forgetting how to carry out familiar tasks such as making a cup of tea
- Not being able to keep track of medication, and whether or when it has been taken
- Struggling to recognise faces of people they know well
- Forgetting the purpose of common items, such as a pen or a fork
- Confusion – the person with dementia may be aware of and frustrated by:
- Difficulty recalling recent events
- Difficulty making decisions
- Difficulty processing what was said by others
- Calling family members or friends by other names
- Becoming confused about the location of home or the passage of time
- Mood and personality changes – changes in behaviour are sometimes the first sign that someone has dementia.
- Some of the most common changes include:
- Sleep disturbance and waking up at night
- Social withdrawal
- Repetitive behaviour
- Trailing, following and checking
- Agitation, including restlessness
- Aggressive behaviour
- Hiding, hoarding and losing things
- Losing inhibitions
- Accusing
- Behaving in ways that are difficult to understand in the late afternoon or early evening, known as Sundowning
- Experiencing a range of emotions, which may include grief, loss, anger, shock, fear, disbelief and even relief
Problems with planning and doing tasks in the right order – finding it harder to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers, including:
- Trouble following a familiar recipe
- Difficulty keeping track of monthly bills
- Finding it hard to concentrate or taking longer to do things than they did before
- Problems remembering the rules of a favourite game
- Trouble understanding something being planned in the future
- Problems perceiving what they see rather than how sharply they see it due to changes in the brain rather than the eyes
These changes may be more visible to family and friends than to the person themselves.
Dementia is not a disease in itself. Dementia is a word used to describe a group of symptoms that occur when brain cells stop working properly. This happens inside specific areas of the brain, which can affect how a person thinks, remembers and communicates. Understanding the various types of dementia means people can get the right support to help them live better with the condition.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It is caused by a build-up in the brain of two proteins called amyloid and tau, which affect how the brain cells transmit messages. As time passes, more and more brain cells are damaged, leading to worsening symptoms. Some of the changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease are similar to those of diabetes. Age is the biggest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease; however, in Alzheimer’s disease, changes occur in the brain that are different to the changes seen in normal ageing.
Alzheimer’s disease affects one in 14 people over the age of 65, and one in six people over the age of 80. However, it can also affect people under the age of 65, known as young onset dementia.
Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, and about 20% of people with dementia will have vascular dementia. Vascular dementia occurs when blood vessels that deliver blood to the brain become damaged, often as the result of a stroke or transient ischaemic attack(s) (TIAs), also known as ‘mini strokes’. Vascular dementia can also result from other conditions that affect the supply of blood to the brain, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
Blood contains oxygen and nutrients that help the brain cells to work properly. When blood vessels are damaged, this reduces blood flow to the brain cells, meaning brain cells don’t get enough oxygen and nutrients. These starved brain cells then become damaged and don’t function properly. This is what causes symptoms of vascular dementia, such as memory and thinking problems. Sometimes this blood vessel and brain cell damage can cause memory and thinking problems that are mild and therefore are not diagnosed as dementia. This is sometimes called vascular mild cognitive impairment.
The main difference between vascular dementia and other types is that vascular dementia is caused by the brain not getting enough blood, whereas other common forms such as Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia are caused by abnormal proteins building up in the brain. The early symptoms of vascular dementia also differ from some other types of dementia, for example changes in mood, behaviour and personality are initially more common than memory problems.
Dementia with Lewy bodies
Dementia with Lewy bodies is the third most common disease that causes dementia. Lewy body dementia is a progressive, complex and challenging condition which is thought to account for 10- 15% of all those with dementia. Around 10% of younger people with dementia have dementia with Lewy bodies. In dementia with Lewy bodies small round clumps of protein build up inside nerve cells in the brain. One of these proteins is called alpha-synuclein, and the clumps it forms are called Lewy bodies.
As this form of dementia progresses, Lewy bodies build up and this accumulation is accompanied by damage to nerve cells. This damage affects the way that the brain cells communicate. In dementia with Lewy bodies the nerve cells that are affected are in areas of the brain that control our thinking, memory and body movement. Dementia with Lewy bodies is closely related to Parkinson’s disease, as the build-up of Lewy bodies is also found in Parkinson’s and leads to symptoms such as movement problems and tremors. People who have Parkinson’s disease are more likely to go on to develop dementia. This is known as Parkinson’s disease dementia.
Frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal dementia is a rare type of dementia and is an umbrella term for a group of dementias that mainly affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are responsible for personality, behaviour, language and speech. In frontotemporal dementia there is a build-up of proteins in the frontal and temporal lobes. Some of the proteins linked to frontotemporal dementia are tau, TDP-43, and a group called FET proteins. These proteins clump together in and around damaged brain cells. As the damage spreads through different parts of the brain, the symptoms of dementia get worse.
When dementia symptoms develop in people under the age of 65, this is known as young onset dementia and it is estimated that around 70,800 people with dementia in the UK are under the age of 65. There are similarities between the diseases that cause young onset dementia and dementia in later life; however, some diseases such as frontotemporal dementia are more common in younger people.
Some people can have more than one cause of their dementia. For example, someone might have Alzheimer’s as well as vascular dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies. This is often called ‘mixed dementia’. A person with mixed dementia would experience a mixture of the symptoms associated with the types of dementia they have. Mixed dementia is much more common in older age groups, such as those over 75 years.
What is Memory Care?
Memory care is a specific type of long-term care intended for those living with memory loss disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia such as those highlighted above, and is one of the fastest-growing forms of elderly care. Memory loss that is associated with dementia can make life harder for those living with it, and also for their carers. Memory care meets the unique needs of those living with memory loss and the associated disorders, and provides a secure, safe and engaging environment, and tailored specialist care for their specific needs.
The purpose of memory care is to offer personalised care and support for people dealing with memory-related challenges. It can be beneficial for anyone facing cognitive challenges, not just those who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
Memory care services are typically provided in dedicated facilities, such as units within care homes, or through at-home services, and are available in both private and NHS-funded settings, with staff specially trained to manage cognitive impairments. The tailored memory care programmes are designed to provide a supportive environment, and expert care, to improve the daily functioning and quality of life of people with dementia or other memory-related conditions so that the person can manage their condition and can maintain as much independence and well-being as possible. The primary objectives of memory care are to:
- Tailor the care plans so that they address the unique needs, types and stages of dementia being experienced by the individual.
- Reduce any risks such as wandering, confusion or accidents, by offering enhanced security measures such as secure entry and exit points and monitoring them to prevent any harm.
- Provide a physical environment designed to be calm, comfortable and familiar, thereby reducing any confusion and anxiety the person may be experiencing.
- Provide continuous health monitoring, which can involve working closely with healthcare professionals to manage medication, address any medical needs, and ensure that an individual’s overall health and well-being is being supported.
- Provide activities and therapies designed to stimulate cognitive function, maintain social engagement, and improve mood in order to enhance the quality of people’s lives. These activities and therapies might include, for example, music therapy, reminiscence therapy, sensory stimulation, or physical activities that help to promote well-being.
- Provide both emotional and social support to the person with dementia and also provide emotional support and guidance to the families / close friends to help them cope with the emotional challenges of caring for someone with dementia.

Care plans
In memory care, care plans are tailored to each person’s individual needs, considering their specific memory condition, their physical health, and their personal preferences. Care plans involve regular health monitoring to manage the symptoms of dementia, prevent further decline, and address other medical conditions. Medication administration is properly monitored ensuring that the care and medication provided is relevant and effective in enhancing the person’s daily functioning and well-being. Memory care facilities often have multidisciplinary teams that include occupational therapists, speech therapists and cognitive rehabilitation specialists. These professionals collaborate with caregivers to ensure that therapies are aligned with each resident’s cognitive abilities and health conditions.
Daily routines
Structured and regular daily routines provided in memory care ensure consistency in daily activities which helps to reduce confusion and anxiety, creating a sense of stability and making people feel more secure and comfortable in their environment. Daily tasks such as dressing, eating and hygiene are done at scheduled times, so that the person gets used to the routine, with trained caregivers assisting to enable the person to maintain as much independence as possible.
Memory care involves regular physical activities such as walking, stretching or simple exercises to help encourage mobility, reduce stiffness, and improve a person’s overall physical health. Scheduled on a daily basis, these activities are personalised to the person’s individual abilities, with a view to improving strength, balance and coordination. Keeping a person with dementia mobile and active whilst minimising any risks helps them to maintain their independence for longer, and helps to prevent falls and accidents.
Memory care facilities have safety modifications such as handrails, non-slip floors and clear walkways to help promote safe mobility and create a dementia-friendly environment using familiar objects, colours and clear signage to reduce disorientation and to help people navigate their space more easily, minimising confusion. Memory care facilities often create comfortable, smaller-scale environments that can feel more familiar to the people with dementia that they are caring for, promoting a homely environment and helping to reduce the stress that can accompany memory loss.
Dementia can bring about challenging behavioural situations where a person with the condition may become angry, agitated or aggressive, or may just wander off. Memory care staff receive specialist training so that they can de-escalate these situations and help to reinstate calm. Alternative therapies such as music or sensory therapies are often used to reduce agitation and improve emotional well-being rather than medicating people.
Social interactions are an important part of memory care, so opportunities that encourage social engagements such as group activities and organised games, shared mealtimes, celebrations for birthdays etc. are organised by trained staff to help to combat a person’s feelings of loneliness and isolation which are a feature of dementia.
Mealtimes
During mealtimes staff are on hand to assist the person should they need it, whilst encouraging as much independence as possible. Food is designed to meet the person’s dietary needs and is often served in small portions or pre-cut to reduce confusion and frustration during meals. Staying active helps keep the mind engaged and ready for new experiences and can be used to maintain social bonds which can aid in memory recall and improve well-being.
Families and close friends of the person with dementia are encouraged to be involved with their care, and staff work closely with them to obtain key information about the person such as likes and dislikes, younger life, interests, in fact anything that they can tell staff that can help them to deliver more personalised care. Friends and family can provide structure by planning activities and spending quality time together. This added stability in a daily routine is an effective way to reduce stress and give a person with dementia a source of focus.
Memory care facilities aim for a holistic approach to care and will endeavour to provide support and guidance for those close to a person with dementia too, to help them to cope with their own emotional effect of their loved one’s condition. The philosophy of memory care is maintaining dignity, promoting independence, and enhancing well-being despite cognitive decline.
Therapeutic Interventions for Dementia
Therapies play a central role in memory care for dementia. They help to maintain cognitive function, improve the quality of the person’s life, and manage the progression of dementia symptoms. These therapies include:
Cognitive Therapies
Cognitive therapies such as cognitive stimulation therapy which is an evidence-based group therapy designed to stimulate cognitive functions through structured activities. Studies conducted with people with Alzheimer’s disease or mixed dementia have found that cognitive stimulation therapy helps the memory and thinking skills of people with mild to moderate dementia and is recommended as a treatment programme by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and in the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) guidance.
Cognitive stimulation therapy involves 14 sessions of structured 45-minute group therapy sessions which are designed to be relaxed and fun and to create opportunities for people to learn, express their views and work with others in a sociable setting. Sessions run twice a week over 7 weeks and each one covers a different theme.
To make sure that there is continuity between the sessions they include the same structure, such as the warm-up activity, a song and a ‘reality orientation board’ at the beginning of every session which has information on the group, such as details including date, time, place and weather. Members give their group a name and sessions cover a range of activities to stimulate thinking and memory and to connect with others such as by:
- Discussing current news stories
- Listening to music or singing
- Playing word games
- Doing a practical activity such as baking which involves measuring ingredients and following a recipe
Cognitive rehabilitation therapy refers to a set of interventions that aim to improve a person’s ability to perform cognitive tasks by retraining previously learned skills and teaching compensatory strategies. Cognitive rehabilitation therapy is personalised with the type of exercises and tasks the person will perform tailored to their needs. Depending on the person’s specific needs, treatment might aim to improve one or more of the following skills:
- Memory
- Attention
- Understanding
- Reasoning
- Problem-solving skills
- Ability to multitask
- Processing speed
- Decision-making skills
- Organisation
- Planning
- Communication (written, speech, language, etc.)
- Self-awareness
Cognitive rehabilitation therapy is based on the concept of Neuroplasticity, which is that the brain can change and adjust throughout life by strengthening existing connections or creating new ones.
Reminiscence Therapy
This involves discussing events and experiences from the past and aims to evoke memories, stimulate mental activity and improve a person’s well-being. Reminiscence therapy can often be supported by props such as videos, music, pictures and objects that may have particular meaning for the person with dementia; the therapy can take place with wider family members and friends or with just one other person in the family. Reminiscence therapy can also be of great value when a person living with dementia is supported to develop their own life-story book.
Memory boxes containing personal objects from the person with dementia’s past can be used in a variety of ways, such as to trigger certain positive memories, to support wider family members and friends to stay connected by providing conversation prompts, and to provide insights into a person’s life story.
Engaging in conversation about topics such as family and relationships, pets and animals, and childhood and school days is a good start and helps the person feel that they are important and valued, which also helps with their sense of being loved and belonging. Research has shown that reminiscence therapy can help with depression in dementia by focusing on positive and rewarding aspects of the person’s past to support more positive thoughts.
Music and Art Therapy
Music, as well as arts and crafts, can be incredibly powerful for those with cognitive disabilities and can be an excellent way to connect. Music therapy uses music to stimulate memories, emotions and communication in individuals with dementia. Listening to familiar songs, singing, or even playing musical instruments can activate different parts of the brain, including those less affected by dementia.
Art therapy encourages creative expression through painting, drawing or sculpting, providing a non-verbal outlet for individuals with dementia to express thoughts and emotions. It stimulates creativity, promotes emotional expression, and can help reduce stress and anxiety. It also enhances social interaction and can improve fine motor skills.
Watching films with a person with dementia can be another good way to stimulate a person with dementia and increase feelings of connectivity with the wider family. Films where there is a strong action, comedic or musical element are better suited than those with complicated storylines.
Physical Exercise and Activity
Studies show that people who engage in physical activity can bolster their mental health as well as their ability to think. Exercise helps the brain not only by keeping the blood flowing but also by increasing certain chemicals that protect the brain and tends to counter some of the natural reduction in brain connections that occurs with ageing. It also reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes, strengthens bones and muscles and reduces stress. In people with dementia, it is important to consider what the person is still able to do.
This can include considering the impact of pre-existing conditions such as arthritis, breathing problems, heart problems, high blood pressure, dizziness or fainting, and balance problems or falls, so it is important to adapt the activity according to the person’s abilities.
For people with dementia, staying active and getting outside is vital to keeping a person engaged in everyday life. Gardening is a great way to exercise; it can be a light activity or something more strenuous depending on the person’s dementia. Dance can be a very structured exercise that can be an activity done within the home on a one-to-one basis and can incorporate music therapy too. Even household chores such as folding laundry, dusting or light vacuuming can provide exercise opportunities.
Behavioural Therapies
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has become a popular way of helping dementia patients cope with sleep issues, anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. In a typical CBT session, the person and therapist discuss how the person thinks in certain situations and how that affects the way they feel and act in response. Therapists offer concrete strategies so the person with dementia can use the relationship between thoughts, feelings and actions to revert to healthier thought patterns and behaviours. People in the early stages of dementia are more likely to respond well to this therapy.
Integrating Memory Care and Therapeutic Interventions
In memory care, each individual undergoes a comprehensive assessment to determine their cognitive abilities, physical health, emotional needs and personal preferences. Based on this assessment, a personalised care plan is created, which integrates specific therapeutic interventions suited to their stage of dementia or memory impairment. Individuals have a personal choice in decisions affecting their care and support. The care plan will cover the person’s own needs as well as those of the people who support them. This will include emotional, psychological and social needs.
Core components of person-centred dementia care are support from a named coordinator of care and the presence of a flexible, up-to-date care plan. The named coordinator is the point of contact for the person with dementia and their family and/or carer when they need advice, information or help. They will jointly develop and review the care plan with the person and their family and/or carer at least every 12 months, to ensure that it is still applicable and effective. They will also ensure the person’s physical and mental health is monitored and that they can access appropriate treatment as and when required.
While an initial care plan may be agreed at a memory assessment service, the follow-up review may take place in primary or secondary care settings.
Dementia memory care should enable people living with dementia, and their families and carers, to live meaningful and independent lives. Support should be person-centred and holistic. Dementia affects not only the individual but also their friends, family and local community. Carers should be given support not only to cope with their caring responsibilities but also to enable them to have an independent life alongside caring.
Dementia Cafés offer a place to socialise and learn more about dementia and local services. They are a place where people with dementia, families, volunteers and professionals can all meet together to share information and experiences and speak openly about dementia. These groups operate on an informal drop-in basis, and you do not need to ‘join up’ to have membership. Groups are often organised by voluntary sector organisations such as Age UK and Alzheimer’s Society, amongst others. They are often run by a staff member from these organisations.

Case Studies and Examples
This case study is taken from the Social Care Institute for Excellence.
Cullingtree Meadows in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is a public sector supported housing scheme for people living with dementia. The facility provides 30 modern apartments and is a partnership between Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Clanmil Housing Group. Prior to the development of Cullingtree Meadows in 2018, there were no supported housing schemes in the locality for people with dementia.
Social activities are available on a regular basis, from museum trips to gardening or arts and crafts. These activities promote quality of life and give tenants a chance to enjoy each other’s company and also offer the opportunity to keep connected with the local community.
Cullingtree Meadows also provides a hub to promote the development of a dementia-friendly community for local people living with dementia, and helps the wider community to understand and include people with dementia in a social context. A partnership with the local primary school allows for tenants to attend school activities and the local parish choir host their practices at the housing scheme, encouraging tenants to join in.
Cullingtree Meadows combines innovative housing design with 24-hour support services. Each tenant is encouraged to remain independent and stay actively involved in all decisions about their health and well-being. In its two most recent inspections, 2019 and 2021, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQAI) found that staff were well trained and registration with Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISSC) was a compulsory requirement for all staff. New staff receive comprehensive induction which includes regular meetings and the opportunity to shadow experienced staff. This shadowing allows staff to become familiar with the needs of individuals and ensure that tenants who access care are introduced to new staff prior to them providing care on a one-to-one basis.
George was diagnosed with mixed dementia in 2014 at the age of 62. “My diagnosis of dementia did not mean the end – and that’s a message I’m passionate about getting out there. Over the years, I’ve put my energies into advocating for people who have dementia, making sure they get the support they need and deserve – it’s something I feel very strongly about. I’ve also started new hobbies and learnt new things about myself. I’ve taken up painting – my school art teacher was wrong about my creative abilities! And I now have new networks of friends that I meet up with regularly. For me, dementia has been the start of a new chapter, and it’s not a bad chapter.
“My advice to anyone who has had a diagnosis of dementia is to know that your life isn’t over. Do what makes you happy, whether that’s painting, walking, staying socially engaged – whatever it is that you enjoy.”
Future Trends and Innovations
Innovative approaches to dementia treatments and care involve medical advancements, cutting-edge technology, and holistic care.
Virtual reality and artificial intelligence is being used to create immersive experiences that allow individuals with dementia to revisit familiar places from their past or enjoy virtual trips to calming environments. VR therapy is particularly useful in reminiscence therapy, helping evoke memories and stimulate emotions, which can improve mood and reduce anxiety.
Researchers are exploring gene therapy techniques to target and potentially repair genes associated with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Research is at an early stage and is investigating how genetic modifications can reduce the production of harmful proteins such as amyloid-beta or tau, which are central to Alzheimer’s pathology.
A new Alzheimer’s drug Donanemab is a targeted antibody drug which slows down the early stages of Alzheimer’s. However, unfortunately, it has been rejected for widespread use by the NHS in England after the health spending watchdog said that it “does not currently demonstrate value for the NHS”. In August, Lecanemab was approved by the medicines regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), making it the first drug of its kind to be licensed for use in the UK; however, this too is not going to be currently available on the NHS.
Conclusion
The person-centred care that memory care provides focuses on the personal history, preferences and abilities of each person with dementia. Interventions, such as music therapy, reminiscence therapy and art therapy, enable people with dementia to engage in meaningful activities that bring them enjoyment, comfort, socialisation and a sense of purpose that helps maintain a higher quality of life, even as the disease progresses.
These therapies that we have highlighted in this article offer people with dementia comfort, encourage positive emotions, and help to manage psychological distress, all of which are important, as living with dementia can lead to feelings of confusion, frustration, anxiety and depression. They also have a great impact on slowing down cognitive decline and can improve memory, language skills and problem-solving abilities. The use of these therapies also helps to reduce the reliance on medications.
Memory care facilities place great emphasis on involving families in the therapeutic process. This not only helps build stronger connections between individuals and their loved ones, but also provides family members with a deeper understanding of dementia and how to manage it.
For anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of dementia and the therapies available in memory care, below are some links to charities and organisations specialising in dementia care that can provide advice, support and guidance.