Writing and sharing a story about how you or a loved one has been affected by dementia can offer some relief for both writer and reader.

Your dementia symptoms can affect your relationships in different ways including communication, feelings and behaviour, and sex and intimacy. Your relationships may also change when someone takes on a caring role. However, with the right support, it is possible to adjust to these changes.

As dementia progresses to the later stages, people may have difficulties with memory and concentration, as well as their mobility and speech.

Sight and hearing loss are both more common as you get older. For a person with dementia, this can cause extra problems, such as confusion about what's happening around them and problems with communication.

Many people with dementia will have hearing loss, sight loss or both. You might find the tips for communicating helpful.

Dementia affects everyone differently so it's important to communicate in a way that is right for the person. Listen carefully and think about what you're going to say and how you'll say it. You can also communicate meaningfully without using spoken words.

Dementia affects how a person can use language and communicate. 

'This is me' is a simple leaflet for anyone receiving professional care who is living with dementia or experiencing delirium or other communication difficulties.

Better communication can make it easier to meet the needs of the person with dementia, and for you to understand each other.

There are many practical ways that you can support a person with dementia who is experiencing memory loss. Read our advice for some of the most common memory problems.

From the July 2015 issue of our magazine, people shouldn't feel that they have to face a dementia diagnosis alone. Luke Bishop talks to a woman who has decided to ask for help when she needs it.