Signs of dementia in women
Over 600,000 women in the UK are currently living with dementia. We’ve looked at the early warning signs of dementia in women, why it’s more common for females, and whether enough is being done to understand and prevent it.

Why is dementia more common in women?
While there’s no concrete answer as to why women are more likely to develop dementia than men, there are a few commonly accepted theories.
The number one factor for dementia is age. And, while the ageing process itself doesn’t cause dementia, as people age the risk of developing dementia does increase. On average women live longer than men, and are therefore more at risk.
Nearly 3 in 4 people over 90 are women. And in the UK, the average life expectancy of a woman is around 82 years old. For men, it’s 79 years old.
In addition to this, experts know from scanning the brains of people with dementia that brain cells naturally die faster in women than they do in men. This could increase the prevalence of dementia, and how fast it progresses.
Research also suggests that the female hormone oestrogen could increase the risk of dementia too.
While widely known as a sex hormone, Oestrogen isn’t only used in the body’s reproductive functions. It’s also used in our brains, specifically in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex, which are the areas responsible for memory and decision making, and are commonly damaged by dementia.
Oestrogen helps brain cells communicate more effectively through a process called ‘synaptic plasticity’. In short, the hormone helps the gaps between cells (synapses) adapt and send messages between the most active brain cells – so that information can be processed faster.
While women have more oestrogen, both men and women have this hormone in their bodies.
When women go through menopause and their oestrogen levels significantly drop. Meanwhile, men’s brain cells actually convert the male sex hormone Testosterone into oestrogen, and therefore they are able to maintain healthy levels of oestrogen in their brains for the majority of their lives. It’s therefore believed that adequate levels of oestrogen are essential for brain health and the prevention of dementia.
Women and dementia: the numbers
According to Alzheimer’s research UK, 65% of people living with dementia in the UK are women, and it’s the leading cause of death for women.
Dementia disproportionately impacts women, even if they haven’t been diagnosed too. 60 -70% of carers for people with dementia are women, and are 2.3 times more likely to provide care to someone for 5+ years.
Does this impact daily life or treatment?
What are the early signs of dementia in a woman?
Dementia is a broad term. There are many different types of dementia, and each type can have very different early warning signs. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:- Changes to your memory
- Difficulty concentrating during conversations or daily activities
- Finding familiar tasks tricky, such as getting confused about the order you should do things
- Struggling to think of the right word in conversation
- changes to your mood
- Slower thoughts
- Difficulties making plans
- Getting lost easily, even in familiar locations
- Confusion about time
- Changes in how you behave, such as acting more impulsively, overeating, and experiencing more sleep disturbances
- Changes in your language skills such as speaking slower or using the wrong words in conversation
- Having a difficult time with everyday tasks because you get distracted easily
What age can women get dementia?
The onset of dementia usually happens after the age of 65. Both women and men can develop dementia in their 40s and 50s too, but this is far less common.
How do you know if memory loss is dementia?
Forgetting things from time to time is a normal part of life. However as we age signs of memory loss can understandably become more worrying.
Losing some memories over time, or becoming a little more absent minded are both parts of the ageing process. There are also a few mental health conditions that can make your memory appear worse as well. For example, if you’re living with depression or anxiety you may be so preoccupied with feeling low or on edge that you find it difficult to fully absorb things around you.
Usually, memory aids such as sticky notes, diaries and mobile phone reminders are enough to manage these lapses in your short-term memory.
The big difference with dementia is that your memory gets significantly worse over time. The impact of this cognitive decline is more significant too – rather than forgetting where you’ve put your keys, you’re more likely to forget things like who people are, and struggle with verbal memory skills.


What to do if you notice the signs of dementia?
If you’re worried about any dementia-like symptoms it’s always best to speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Your GP will be able to offer reassurance and help you get an accurate diagnosis based on what you’re experiencing.
If your GP does suspect dementia, they may look at your family history and existing medical conditions, before referring you to a specialist for a medical assessment. They may want to do some blood tests too.
A diagnosis of dementia can be difficult to process, however theres no reason why you can still have a good quality of life. The earlier you seek help, the more treatment options there will be available to you.
Drugs like donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine may help the cells in your brain to communicate better – helping to make daily tasks easier and potentially, slowing the progression of symptoms.
There are also a number of treatments and therapies that are completely drug free that some people find effective. Things such as aromatherapy and massage may alleviate some symptoms such as sleep problems.
Of course, living a healthy lifestyle can help with symptom management too. Regular physical activity such as walking and aerobics, and hobbies that keep the mind active like crossword puzzles may help slow down the progression of dementia symptoms.
Where women can get help
A useful first step if you’ve just received a dementia diagnosis, or are struggling with some aspects of daily life is to call Dementia UK’s national dementia helpline on 0800 888 6678. The line is open 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm on Saturday to Sunday and is managed by Admiral nurses, who are specialists in dementia.
They’ll be able to offer advice, and guide you towards any support services or community groups that you can access in your local area.
It’s also worth following the work of Alzheimer’s Research UK, who are investing in research focused on the female experience of dementia, from causes and risk factors, to potential treatments.
More advice and resources


Treatment for dementia
Treatment for dementia While there’s no cure yet, there are a range of treatments for dementia that can help with symptoms, and improve quality


Sudden worsening of dementia symptoms
Sudden worsening of dementia symptoms Whether you’ve been diagnosed with dementia yourself or are caring for someone who has, a sudden change in symptoms, such


The power of complementary therapies in dementia care
The power of complementary therapies in dementia care Many complementary therapies can be used alongside conventional medicines to reduce symptoms or improve the quality of