Dementia is not a disease, but rather an umbrella term for a variety of symptoms that may accompany or indicate certain diseases or conditions. Today over 60 different conditions are known to cause dementia symptoms.

After a dementia diagnosis, the focus is often only on the person's symptoms and behaviour rather than on his or her needs. It can seem that there is not much that can be done, which makes it very hard to maintain a positive attitude. However, if you shift your focus and energy to the person's strengths and remaining abilities, it helps you keep a positive attitude and enables you to encourage and inspire improvement, joy, hope, and wellbeing in those you support .