Andy Burnham's father, Roy Burnham, has passed away from Alzheimer's disease

There are many different types of dementia and all of them are progressive. This means symptoms may be relatively mild at first but they get worse with time, usually over several years. There is no way to be sure how quickly a person’s dementia will progress. 

It can be helpful to think of there being three stages of dementia:

• Early stage dementia is when a person has symptoms that are interfering with daily life but they can still manage to do many things by themselves, or with a little support.
• Middle stage dementia is when symptoms become more severe and wide-ranging. The person starts to need help with more basic tasks, such as washing, dressing, and going to the toilet.
• Late stage dementia is when a person starts to need more constant care, often provided by professional carers. It gets harder to do everyday tasks needed to stay well, such as eating, drinking and moving around.

Learn more about the stages and progression of dementia

The main difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia is that Alzheimer’s is a disease in the brain, whereas dementia is a collection of symptoms. Dementia can be caused by many different diseases, all of which affect the brain in different ways. 

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The condition starts in the brain many years before symptoms start to show. Most people who develop Alzheimer’s will do so when they are over 65 years old. 

Early symptoms are mild and so don’t stop someone doing their normal everyday activities. It’s only later that symptoms become severe enough to be called ‘dementia’.  

Learn more about the causes and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease,

Keep reading about the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

As their dementia progresses, a person will need more help with their care. As a carer it can be difficult both physically and emotionally to deal with the changes. Some carers therefore find it helpful to think about the future ahead of time, including what may happen when they no longer have a caring role. 

It can be difficult to think about this when caring for someone close to you, but dementia is a life-limiting illness. This means there will be a time when your caring role comes to an end.

There are carers’ organisations that can give you information and support to help you adjust. Most importantly, take time to think about yourself and talk to someone about your feelings.

Read our advice on how to cope when this stage of dementia arrives.

Everyone copes with bereavement in their own personal way, and there is no right or wrong way to react. How you feel after a person with dementia has died will be affected by different things, including your relationship with them and the circumstances around their death.

Take some time to reflect and come to terms with your situation, but try not to become isolated. It can help to talk through your feelings with someone you trust.

If you need dementia support, we’re here for you. You can call our Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456 and talk to one of our Dementia Advisors.

Read through our information and advice on coping after a person with dementia has passed away.