Dementia, such as with Alzheimer’s, is very confusing to the person with dementia and to that person’s family. Dementia is a general term of psychological symptoms; it is more than just memory loss, it also includes personality changes and impaired intellectual functions. Dementia can result from disease, medication side effects, poor nutrition and dehydration, or trauma to the brain. Dementia can cause serious impact on everyday living, independence, and relationships with others. The following is a list of things to help clarify the life changes of dementia.
1. Symptoms of dementia: Most of the symptoms of dementia relate to the part of the brain that is affected.
Common signs may include:
- Memory loss and impaired judgment
- Agitation and anxiety
- Unsound reasoning
- Disorientation to time or place
- Difficulty with gait and balance
- Inappropriate behavior
- Neglecting personal care and safety
- Having hallucinations or paranoia
When caring for a person with dementia he or she might notice that the person with dementia:
• Asks the same questions repeatedly
• Becomes lost within familiar areas and has difficulty following directions
• Might be frequently confused as to the date or time
• Does not recognize familiar people
• Is not paying attention to personal safety, hygiene, and nutrition
2. Dementia, it is not a normal part of aging: Symptoms of psychological effects with normal aging is not as severe as dementia. Normal signs of aging include:
- Mild forgetfulness and occasional loss for words
- Occasionally being slow to remember directions but does not get lost in familiar places
- Remembering important events and people
- He or she has the same interpersonal social skills as before.
3. Types of dementia: There are many types or causes of dementia. Accurate diagnosing can result in the most appropriate treatment. The most common dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. The onset of Alzheimer’s is usually gradual. Vascular dementia, on the other hand, comes on suddenly. Causes of Vascular Dementia include a stroke or other changes in the brain’s blood supply. Other conditions that cause dementia include Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
4. Is there prevention for, or ways to delay, dementia? Research says if a person stimulates his or her mind regularly and maintains good health habits, he or she, may be able to prevent or delay dementia. Just as one exercises his/her body to stay healthy, he/she should exercise his/her brain. Ways to help keep a person’s mind healthy include:
- Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of fluids
- Stimulate your mind, such as taking quizzes or reading
- Get plenty of sleep
- Do not smoke and limit alcoholic intake.
The more a person understands about dementia, the more he or she can do about it. Learning the symptoms can make a person aware of any possibility of dementia. Once a person thinks he, or she may have dementia, he, or she needs to discuss it with his/her physician. The doctor will probably order tests, such as blood tests or an MRI, to find the cause of the dementia. The doctor can then order appropriate treatments.
Resources:
Alzheimer’s Society
Help Guide. Org – Understanding Dementia
Natural News – Scientists Admit Dementia not a Normal Part of aging
WebMD – Alzheimer’s disease Health Centre
ComForcare National – A Senior Alzheimer and Dementia Home Care Service
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