24-hour senior care at home in Switzerland

Dementia: signs, progression and care at home

Clear guidance for people living with dementia and their families.

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Dementia changes lives – for the person diagnosed and for their family. This guide explains in plain language what dementia is, the different types, the signs to look out for and how care at home can make everyday life safer and more dignified. It is no substitute for a medical diagnosis, but it offers a first point of orientation.

What is dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions in which mental abilities such as memory, thinking, orientation and language gradually decline. It is not a normal part of ageing but the result of changes in the brain. The most common types include:

  • Alzheimer’s disease: the most common type, usually with a gradual onset and increasing memory problems.

  • Vascular dementia: caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.

  • Dementia with Lewy bodies: with fluctuating alertness and, in some cases, movement problems.

  • Frontotemporal dementia: often with changes in behaviour and personality.

Signs and early symptoms of dementia

The signs usually develop slowly and are easy to miss at first. Common early symptoms include:

  • Forgetfulness, especially about recent events

  • Difficulty finding words and other language problems

  • Disorientation in time and place

  • Poorer judgement and difficulty with familiar tasks

  • Withdrawal from social activities, mood swings and changes in personality

Signs like these can have many causes. Only a medical assessment – by your GP or at a memory clinic – can reliably diagnose dementia. An early assessment is worthwhile because it brings clarity and makes treatment and planning possible.

You will find a detailed overview of the warning signs under Signs of dementia. To learn more about the most common type, read our guide to Alzheimer’s.

Progression and stages

Dementia is progressive, but it develops very differently from person to person. Broadly speaking, there are three stages: in the early stage, everyday life is still largely manageable with some support. In the middle stage, more help is needed and orientation and daily tasks become harder. In the late stage, comprehensive support is required. How quickly the stages progress and how pronounced they are varies from one person to the next.

Dementia care at home

For people with dementia, familiar surroundings, fixed routines and dependable people around them are especially important – they provide security and orientation. This is exactly what 24-hour care at home makes possible: a caregiver lives with the person, brings structure to everyday life, offers attention and safety, and at the same time takes pressure off the family.

To find out how we support people with dementia in particular, see Help with dementia and Alzheimer’s. For an overview of what we offer, see our care services. Details of ongoing support can be found under 24-hour care at home.

Frequently asked questions about dementia

Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions in which mental abilities such as memory, thinking and orientation gradually decline. It is not a normal part of ageing but the result of changes in the brain.

Common early signs include forgetting recent events, difficulty finding words, disorientation and changes in mood and behaviour. Dementia can only be reliably diagnosed through a medical assessment.

Dementia is the umbrella term for various conditions in which mental abilities decline. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common single type of dementia. Every case of Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia, but not every dementia is Alzheimer’s.

Yes. With dementia in particular, familiar surroundings and fixed routines are valuable. 24-hour care at home provides structure, supervision and safety around the clock, and takes pressure off the family.

A few principles, applied consistently, help a great deal: speak in short, simple sentences and ask one question at a time; don’t correct or contradict, but respond to the feeling behind what is said; keep to fixed daily routines and familiar objects; allow plenty of time and break tasks down into small steps; make eye contact and stay calm, because mood carries more weight than words; let the person stay independent wherever they still can; make sure the home is safe; avoid reproaches and testing questions such as “Do you remember?”; take your own limits seriously and arrange some respite for yourself. This is exactly where care at home comes in: a caregiver in the household keeps up the familiar rhythm that people with dementia need to stay oriented.

Prices are the same throughout Switzerland and start at CHF 5’080 per month (5 days a week) or CHF 7’530 per month (7 days a week). Medical nursing care is coordinated separately with Spitex (home nursing service).

Sources

Last updated: November 2026

More guides on senior care

Overview: Guide to care at home