‘Dementia isn't just ‘forgetting things’ - it’s so much more than that.’ We asked you, what’s the one thing you wish everyone knew about dementia? Here’s what you told us: ‘It’s not just ‘getting old’ it’s a disease.’ ‘It affects everyone around that person immensely, not the person alone.’ ‘Losing a loved one while they are still here isn’t something that gets easier with time.’ ‘How hard it is to be the partner of someone with dementia, especially when you’re young.’ ‘It can be violent. even the nicest of people. Mostly out of fear, which is heart-breaking.' ‘There can still be joy in every day' If there’s something you wish the world knew about dementia, share it in the comments.

Did you know that women have a greater risk of developing dementia over their lifetime? Around two thirds of people living with dementia are women, and dementia is the leading cause of death for women in the UK. The main reason for this is thought to be because women live longer than men, as age is the biggest risk factor for dementia. However, other factors also play a part in women’s dementia risk. Over the course of a lifetime, women tend to have different experiences than men. Some of these are caused by differences in biology, such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Oestrogen is thought to play an important role in maintaining brain health, including blocking some of the harmful effects of substances involved in Alzheimer’s disease. Some research suggests that a very early menopause may increase the risk of dementia. Researchers are looking into whether menopausal HRT could reduce dementia risk. Social factors like education, work and lifestyle also play a part in women’s dementia risk, especially for older generations. Having a full education and opportunities for lifelong mental stimulation helps to delay dementia in old age. Historically, women have had fewer opportunities to attend university or work in highly skilled occupations. Genetics also play a role. Nearly two thirds of people with Alzheimer’s have at least one copy of the ApoE4 gene. However, while men and women are just as likely to have this gene, its effect on dementia risk seems to be greater in women than it is in men. We don’t fully understand why this is And more men are involved in research trials. With women being less represented in research, we still don’t fully understand how the diseases that cause dementia may affect women differently. Finally, when it comes to dementia, caring duties are more likely to fall to women than men. 68% of informal or unpaid carers of people with dementia are women, and more than three quarters of the social care workforce are women too.