{"id":379253,"date":"2025-11-19T16:27:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T16:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/?page_id=379253"},"modified":"2025-12-15T12:05:58","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T12:05:58","slug":"how-are-parkinsons-and-dementia-related","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk\/home-care-services\/dementia-care\/how-are-parkinsons-and-dementia-related\/","title":{"rendered":"How are parkinson\u2019s and dementia related?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow are parkinson\u2019s and dementia related?\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\"How\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n
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Defining dementia<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

According to the Alzheimer\u2019s Society<\/a>, dementia can be defined as \u201cthe broad term used to describe a number of different conditions affecting the brain, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dementia is the \u2018umbrella term\u2019 that encompasses over 100 different types of conditions, some more well-known than others, and in the UK, Alzheimer\u2019s is the most common form.<\/p>\n

Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/span><\/h3>\n

Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused <\/a>by the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells, called amyloid and tau. Deposits of tau form \u2018tangles\u2019 within brain cells. The first symptoms that the person or their loved ones may notice are to do with memories, and as time goes on, different areas of the brain shrink, meaning the person becomes less able to manage everyday tasks independently.<\/p>\n

Vascular dementia<\/span><\/h3>\n

Brain cells need oxygen and nutrients which are carried to them in the blood by the vascular system, a network of vessels that \u2013 if they become blocked – will prevent blood reaching the brain cells which will die. Vascular dementia<\/a> is the eventual result.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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Frontotemporal dementia<\/span><\/h3>\n

Abnormal proteins are also the cause of Frontotemporal dementia<\/a> (FTD), which affects the two lobes at the front of the brain, the frontal and the temporal lobe. As with Alzheimer\u2019s disease, if these proteins build up they will damage and eventually destroy key areas of the brain.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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Defining Parkinson\u2019s<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/a> can manifest when a substance called dopamine is reduced, due to a loss of nerve cells in a particular part of the brain. Dopamine helps to regulate movement in the body, so as it reduces, the person\u2019s movements will slow down, and as the disease progresses they will usually experience tremors, shaking and rigidity.<\/p>\n

As with dementia, there is currently no cure for Parkinson\u2019s, however in all cases the focus is on managing the condition and ensuring that the person living with Parkinson\u2019s is supported to live their best life possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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The relationship between dementia and Parkinson\u2019s<\/h3>\n

According to Dementia UK, \u201cMost people with a diagnosis of Parkinson\u2019s do not go on to develop dementia \u2013 although about a third will, usually in the later stages. This is known as \u2018Parkinson\u2019s disease with dementia\u2019 and may also be referred to as Lewy body dementia.\u201d<\/p>\n

While not everyone living with Parkinson\u2019s disease will go on to develop dementia, the risk is higher than for someone who doesn\u2019t have Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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Lewy body dementia<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

As with several other types of dementia, Lewy body dementia is caused by a rogue protein, in this case, referred to as Lewy bodies, building up inside brain cells. While they can build up throughout different parts of the brain, they will particularly affect the areas responsible for thought, regulating sleep and alertness, movement, and visual perception. Lewy body dementia<\/a> can be subdivided into two types of dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia.<\/p>\n

Parkinson’s disease dementia<\/h3>\n

Symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s disease dementia and Lewy Body dementia will often be very similar and both will eventually lead to the person having difficulty with everyday tasks. The symptoms can be flipped around<\/a> depending on whether the person has Lewy Body dementia or Parkinson’s disease dementia, for instance with Lewy Body dementia \u201cchanges in thinking, visual perception (cognitive symptoms) and sleep may be experienced first and difficulty with movement (Parkinsonian symptoms) \u2013 occur at the same time or later\u201d, whereas with Parkinson\u2019s disease dementia it is the other way around and \u201cParkinsonian symptoms are experienced first followed by cognitive changes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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Help with Parkinson\u2019s and dementia from Helping Hands<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

Helping Hands have been supporting people living with Parkinson\u2019s disease and all forms of dementia for over 30 years, and while your life may be a little different after your diagnosis you shouldn\u2019t imagine that you can\u2019t still live independently \u2013 albeit with some extra support from our professional and compassionate carers. Our Parkinson\u2019s and dementia care<\/a> can be delivered on a visiting<\/a>, live-in<\/a> or even nurse-led<\/a> basis, so whatever stage of your condition you\u2019re at and however complex your needs, we can help. You may only require a few hours of care a week during the early stages of your condition, however as it advances or you move into palliative care<\/a>, you may require around the clock support.<\/p>\n

Our carers can help with every aspect of your care, ensuring that you remain as independent as possible and live your very best life in the home you love. Your bespoke care package will ensure your needs are provided for to the very highest standards, and thanks to your personalised support plan, nothing in your routine will ever be missed. Your carer can also work with other members of your multidisciplinary team such as your GP, OT or district nurse to ensure you\u2019re fully supported with every task, including:<\/p>\n