It is common for people with dementia to have anxiety. It can make symptoms of dementia worse – particularly symptoms that affect a person’s attention, planning, organising and decision-making.

People with dementia may lose mental capacity and become unable to make some decisions. The Mental Capacity Act is the law in England and Wales that protects people who lack capacity to make a decision.

Depression is common in people with dementia. Having depression can make it much harder to live as well as possible with dementia. It can also worsen problems with memory and thinking.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare condition that causes both dementia and problems with movement.

Sometimes a person with dementia can lose their inhibitions and may behave in ways that others find embarrassing.

A person with dementia may follow someone around, check that they are nearby, or keep calling out or asking for them.

If someone you are caring for often walks about, it can be difficult to know how to respond. Take the time to try to understand why they are walking and what they need.

Find out why a person may hide, hoard or lose things, as well as how you can help.

Sometimes a person with dementia will behave in ways that are difficult to understand in the late afternoon or early evening. This is known as 'Sundowning'.

People with dementia often carry out the same activity, make the same gesture, say the same thing, make the same noise or ask the same question over and over.

Restlessness and agitation are common behaviours in people living with dementia. These behaviours can be difficult for others to understand, but finding out the causes can help you to support the person.

Read about how to manage situations where a person’s behaviour changes.