Quiz – Dementia (true or false) - Questions

Care managers should use this quiz with staff as the starting point for a discussion around dementia.

  1. There are many different types of dementia. True or False?

True.

There are over 100 different types of dementia. The most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, followed by vascular dementia. Less common types of dementia are dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. Some rare conditions can also cause dementia.

  1. All older people eventually get dementia. It is a normal and inevitable part of the aging process. True or False?

False.

While it is true that dementia rates increase with increased age dementia only actually affects 5% of the population older than 65. Dementia is a disease of the brain and is in no way a normal or an inevitable part of the ageing process. Many people get a bit more forgetful as they get older, however, this does not mean they have dementia. Millions of people live into their 80’s and 90’s without any significant loss of memory function.

  1. Dementia is only found in the elderly.True or False?

False.

Dementia is certainly more common in the elderly, however, there are also cases referred to as ‘early onset dementia’ where it occurs in younger people, sometimes as young as in their 30s. It is estimated that more than 40,000 people under the age of 65 in the UK have dementia.

  1. There is no cure for dementia. True or False?

True.

This is true at the moment. Despite the best efforts of doctors and researchers there is currently no cure for dementia. However, there are drug treatments and changes in lifestyle that can help treat some aspects of dementia and help someone to cope and retain their independence for as long as possible. Dementia is caused by physical changes in the brain and scientists are confident that, although a cure is not expected in the foreseeable future, research will eventually uncover a cure for most types of dementia.

  1. People with dementia can’t understand what’s going on.True or False?

False.

It is a common belief that people living with dementia cannot understand what is happening around them. This is sometimes used as an excuse to failure to ask them what they want. However, it is not true. Many people with dementia are aware of their surroundings but have difficulty in communicating with people or engaging with others. Care staff should never assume that a service user does not understand and should always encourage the use of their mental ability and allow them to make their own decisions where possible.

  1. You should always correct a person with dementia when they say something that you know is wrong.True or False?

False.

Sometimes it may be appropriate to correct a person with dementia, but it is usually best not to. Correcting someone with dementiacan be detrimental and may affect their confidence, leading to them feeling distressed, confused and depressed. For instance, if a person with more advanced dementia mistakenly thinks they have had dinner with someone who has passed away then instead of reminding them that the person has died, care staff or carers can try encouraging them to tell them about the meal. This will help the individual to maintain their mental abilities without feeling corrected.

  1. You cannot lower a person’s risk of dementia. True or False?

False.

While the full facts about prevention are yet to be revealed by research, it is now accepted that why some people get dementia and not others does not depends upon a combination of age, genes, health and lifestyle. Lifestyle factors which can help to decrease a person’s risk of developing dementia include exercising often, eating a healthy and balanced diet with lots of vegetables and fruit while cutting back on fats, and keeping active and making use of mental abilities.

  1. People with dementia do not know what they want.True or False?

False.

People living with dementia usually do know what they want. However, they often have trouble communicating it properly.It is important that care staff and carers are patient and clear in their use of communication so they can properly determine what the person wants.

  1. People with dementia are often aware of their symptoms.True or False?

True.

In the early stages it is certainly true that people living with certain types of dementia are fully aware of their symptoms. They may realize that their memory and abilities are failing and will often seek medical advice which may lead to a diagnosis of dementia. Many people are grateful for a diagnosis and their awareness of symptoms as it gives them a chance to do all they can to prolong their independence for as long as possible. It also enables them to plan for a time when they will be less independent or may lose their faculties.

  1. People with dementia are always aggressive or violent.True or False?

False.

Dementia affects everyone differently and can cause a wide range of symptoms. People living with dementia can certainly behave in ways that may be out of character and in some cases this may include aggressive or challenging behaviours. However, for most people living with dementia,behaviour that is aggressive or challenging is uncommon as long as the individual is being provided with effective and compassionate care. Care staff and carers should always be patient, communicate clearly and treat people with dementia with respect and dignity.

  1. Common symptoms of all forms of dementia include memory loss, confusion and problems communicating. True or False?

True.

Everyone experiences dementia in their own way and different types of dementia can also affect people differently. However, there are some common symptoms that include memory loss, confusion and communication difficulties. Memory loss will usually include problems recalling things that happened recently although some people may still remember things clearly from a long time ago. People living with dementia may become confused about time or place, or may not know where they are, even in a place they know well. Problems communicating may include difficulty finding the right word or struggling to follow a conversation.

  1. Once a person is diagnosed with dementia, there is nothing that can be done.True or False?

False.

Although there is currently no cure for dementia there are a range of treatments and approaches that can help to slow the progress of the condition and help a person living with dementia to cope and maintain their independence for as long as possible. For instance, symptoms of memory loss can sometimes be helped by treatment with anti-dementia drugs, and talking therapies such as reminiscence therapy can help a person to retain their mental abilities. In addition, a growing range of technological telecare products are increasingly being used to improve the quality of care. Every person living with dementia who is in receipt of adult social care should be treated as an individual and should have their needs fully assessed and have a person-centred and individualised plan of care.

  1. Having dementia can make accidents more likely.True or False?

True.

Everyone is different but some people with dementia will be less likely to perceive risk and this may make them more likely to have accidents. The level of risk should be assessed for each individual and appropriate safeguards put in place. In someone’s own home at an early stage of dementia this may include simple things like removing loose rugs and trip hazards. It does not mean that the person cannot live independently or carry on doing active things that they enjoy, such as going out for a coffee. A range of equipment is available that is designed to help people stay safe. Often referred to as telecare, equipment ranges from fire alarms and personal alarms to timers that switch off electrical items or raise an alert at a call centre, in case of fire for instance. GPS trackers are even available that can be used to monitor someone when they go for a walk.

  1. There is nothing wider society can do to make buildings and towns better for people who have dementia. True or False?

False.

As society becomes more aware of the needs of people and carers who are living with dementia a growing range of services and adaptations are being made to create safer and more accepting environments for them. Buildings such as care homes and hospitals are being made much more user friendly for people with dementia but the same can also be done with all buildings and towns. All that is needed is the local will to push changes through. Dementia Friendly Communities is a programme which facilitates the creation of dementia-friendly communities across the UK. Everyone, from governments and health boards to the local corner shop and hairdresser, share part of the responsibility for ensuring that people with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community. Part of this is investment in local ‘champions’ who will work towards making communities more accepting of people with dementia and understanding of their needs.

  1. There is nowhere to go for advice and help.True or False?

False.

There are many national and local charities and associations that offer help, advice and support for people living with dementia and their carers. These include:

  • The Alzheimer’s Society at:
  • Dementia UK at:

There is also a comprehensive range of dementia information and resources on the NHS Choices website at:

There is a National Dementia Helpline available on 0300 222 11 22. In addition, anyone worried about dementia can visit their GP.

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