FAQs

Can you inherit dementia and Alzheimer's disease?

If you have a parent or sibling with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, it is slightly more likely the disease may be passed on to you. However, there are very few families where there is a direct inheritance from one generation to the next. People with early on-set dementia (those under 65) have more of a chance of passing the disease to their children than those who develop dementia later in life. A range of factors are thought to be responsible for dementia, including age and environmental factors, as well as genetic inheritance. People of all ages, ethnicity and intellectual abilities can get dementia.

What medication can I take for dementia?

Some medications, called cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA-receptor antagonists have been found to relieve some symptoms and hold back the progression of the disease for some people for a period of time. However, there is no cure for dementia. To find out more about these drugs and how they work, please see the ‘Medication' page.

Where can I go for help?

Alzheimers New Zealand has 22 local organisations providing support, care and education. Click here for contact details. You can also go to our support services page for more information about organisations which can help you, or to our links page for other relevant websites. Most local Alzheimers organisations have support groups where people with dementia and their carers can meet others in similar situations.

What causes dementia and Alzheimer's disease?

No one single factor has been determined as the cause of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It is likely a combination of factors, including age, genetic inheritance (see ‘Can you inherit dementia and Alzheimer's disease?' above) and environmental factors.

What happens to the brain when someone has Alzheimer's disease?

During the course of the disease, abnormal proteins form ‘plaques' and ‘tangles' in the structure of the brain. Tangles lead to the death of brain cells. These changes are associated with a shortage of some important chemicals in the brain which transmist messages. For more comprehensive information about various dementias and Alzheimer's disease, click here.

How many kinds of dementias are there?

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and makes up 50-70% of all cases. Vascular dementia (20-30%) is the second most common form. Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Pick's disease (also known as fronto-temporal dementia) are other, less common forms.

Is there a cure for Alzheimer's disease?

There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, there are medications you can take to delay onset, see above. Alzheimers New Zealand supports people with dementia and their carers to live the best possible lives.

Where can I read more?

We have a list of links on this page. Some of these links are blogs written by people who have dementia, or by carers. There are also links to other Alzheimers organisations worldwide. For comprehensive information on dementia you can download the Dementia Booklet, or buy it for a small cost from your local Alzheimers organisation, or national office, by emailing nationaloffice@alzheimers.org.nz or calling 04 381 23 62. On the home page of this website you will also see a list of news items and links from around the world on dementia research, information and activities. Alzheimers New Zealand also has a library and resource centre.

How can I prevent Alzheimer's disease?

Living a healthy life, for example, eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables as part of a balanced diet and getting lots of exercise, helps lessen the risk of developing dementia. Omega oils found in fish and nuts have been found to be helpful brain food. Keeping socially active and developing new hobbies and brain challenging activities have been also found to lessen the risk of dementia. However, dementia can happen to anyone, regardless of their health, age, intellect and background. For more information on healthy living, click here.

I have problems with my memory? Do I have Alzheimer's disease?

Memory problems are a symptom of many things, for example, stress, anxiety, depression or the side effects of medication. It is common for people of all ages to experience forgetfulness. Forgetfulness is not being able to remember something at a specific time, but the memory returns at some later time in most cases. Warning signs of dementia may include:

progressive memory loss
difficulty performing familiar tasks
disorientation of time and place
impairment of judgement
problems with abstract thinking
problems with language
problems misplacing things
changes in personality, mood or behaviour
loss of initiative

If you think any of these apply to you or a loved one, please contact your GP or local Alzheimers organisation. The sooner you tackle memory and cognition problems and seek appropriate help, the better.

How can I help?

Both Alzheimers New Zealand's national office and our 22 member organisations throughout Aotearoa New Zealand are always looking for volunteers and support from individuals and organisations. Check out our volunteer page for details. To contribute financially, please click here for our donate page.