After not finding out until the later stage of dementia that my Nan has it, I was wondering if it is hereditary? My nan wasn't given any help until a fall and hospital staff noticed her strange behaviour. She also had a serious of mini stokes combined with the dementia this has left her not able to walk, eat or drink, she is in her own little world talking about past things and talking to people who aren't there. We no now this started at Christmas 2010 when my mother called her 'mom' and she replied why do you keep calling me that.Also before her fall she became very depressed called family and constantly throughout the night and day. It is a horrible disease which not even a animal would be left to suffer with!