There are currently 700 000 people with dementia in the UK, and this is projected to rise to over a million by 2025. Dementia can occur at any age, but is most common in older people, affecting one in six people over the age of 80 years. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, other forms include vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. Behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia are common. As well as causing distress to the person with dementia, they are a significant cause of distress to carers and are a common factor leading up to institutionalization of the person with dementia.
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