About this quiz

Dementia affects nearly a million people in the UK, and yet most of us don't know much about it until it lands on the doorstep. This quiz won't make you an expert - ten questions can't do that - but it can shift the things you thought were true, point you toward what isn't being said, and give you something practical to take away.

It takes about three minutes. Feel free to share it.

Note: this quiz is for awareness, not diagnosis. If you're worried about yourself or someone you love, talk to a GP.

Why we built it

I'm Jack Vernon, founder of Dementia Life. My Mum was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's in March 2024. The thing nobody warns you about - and the thing I wish I'd known years earlier - is how much of the experience is preventable, manageable, or at least less brutal if you know what you're looking at. Most of what we know now, we learned the hard way.

We built this quiz to be the first interaction some children will have with dementia. It’s there to provide a brief overview, de-myth some common misconceptions and give the next generation an understanding many of us didn’t have.

What most people don't realise about dementia

A few things that came up in the quiz, and a few that didn't.

Dementia isn't one disease. It's a category. Alzheimer's is the most common type, but vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia all behave differently — different early signs, different progressions, different things that help. A diagnosis of "dementia" without a sub-type is the start of a conversation, not the end of one.

It isn't only an older person's condition. Around 70,800 people in the UK are living with young-onset dementia, diagnosed before they turn 65. Some are diagnosed in their 30s and 40s. The drugs, the support pathways and the cultural assumptions are all built around the over-75 population, which leaves younger families navigating a system that wasn't designed for them.

It isn't only a memory disease. It can start with memory, but it can also start with personality changes, language difficulties, problems with judgement, or visual disturbances. Families often spot the first signs as "they're just not themselves" long before forgetfulness becomes obvious. Trust that instinct.

The cost is mostly borne by families. Dementia costs the UK economy more than cancer and heart disease combined. Most of that cost falls on unpaid carers — lost earnings, private care fees, and time. The NHS picks up a small share. Families pick up the rest.

Common early signs to watch for

Not every change means dementia. But if several of these are happening to someone you love, it's worth a conversation with a GP.

•       Repeating the same question or story within a short period

•       Difficulty finding common words mid-sentence

•       Getting lost in familiar places, or in conversations

•       Changes in mood, personality, or social behaviour

•       Withdrawing from hobbies, work, or relationships once enjoyed

•       Problems with judgement — handling money, making plans, following recipes they used to know by heart

•       Putting everyday items in unusual places

If you've noticed several of these in a family member, our community meetings are a good place to talk it through with people who've been there.

What actually helps

Connect, don't correct. When someone with dementia says something that isn't accurate to reality — calls you by the wrong name, asks about someone who has died, believes they need to leave for a job they retired from years ago — the helpful response is almost never to correct them. Meet them where they are. The conversation matters more than the facts.

Routine reduces distress. Familiar people, familiar places, familiar daily rhythms. Big change is hard.

Get the diagnosis on paper. It opens doors to support, financial allowances, planning, and sometimes clinical trials. Waiting helps no one.

Look after the carer too. Caring for someone with dementia is one of the most demanding things a person can do. Most carers don't ask for help until they're past the point of needing it. If you're caring for someone, you need a community.

Where to go next

•       Join our community meetings. Online, Wednesday evenings and Friday afternoons. People at every stage of the journey. No joining fee. No pressure to share. ONLINE MEETINGS

•       Read the Sunday Sit Down. Our weekly newsletter — honest writing about dementia, what we're seeing in the community, and what needs to change. SIGN UP BELOW

•       Take part in the Family Impact Study. If dementia has affected your family, your experience is evidence. We're building the case for nationally funded family support — and it starts with families being heard. FAMILY IMPACT STUDY 2026

•       Browse the Bookshelf. Books we trust on dementia, ageing, communication and care. DEMENTIA LIFE BOOKSHELF