Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning: thinking, remembering, reasoning and behavioural abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities.
These functions include memory, language skills, visual perception, problem solving, self-management, and the ability to focus and pay attention. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change.
Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of living.
Dementia Symptoms:
Dementia affects each person in a different way, depending upon the impact of the disease and the person’s personality before becoming ill. The signs and symptoms linked to dementia can be understood in three stages.
Early stage: the early stage of dementia is often overlooked, because the onset is gradual. Common symptoms include:
- forgetfulness
- losing track of the time
- becoming lost in familiar places.
Middle stage: as dementia progresses to the middle stage, the signs and symptoms become clearer and more restricting. These include:
- becoming forgetful of recent events and people’s names
- becoming lost at home
- having increasing difficulty with communication
- needing help with personal care
- experiencing behaviour changes, including wandering and repeated questioning.
Late stage: the late stage of dementia is one of near total dependence and inactivity. Memory disturbances are serious and the physical signs and symptoms become more obvious. Symptoms include:
- becoming unaware of the time and place
- having difficulty recognizing relatives and friends
- having an increasing need for assisted self-care
- having difficulty walking
- experiencing behaviour changes that may escalate and include aggression.
Dementia Risk factors:
- Age
The strongest known risk factor for dementia is increasing age, with most cases affecting those of 65 years and older
- Family history
Those who have parents or siblings with dementia are more likely to develop dementia themselves.
- Race/ethnicity
Older African Americans are twice more likely to have dementia than whites. - Poor heart health
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking increase the risk of dementia if not treated properly.
- Traumatic brain injury
Head injuries can increase the risk of dementia, especially if they are severe or occur repeatedly.
Dementia Stages:
The stages of dementia are used when a progressive dementia has been diagnosed. The stages include:
- Stage 1: No impairment. The patient has no problems.
- Stage 2: Questionable impairment. The patient begins to have some difficulty but can still function independently.
- Stage 3: Mild impairment. The patient has obvious, but still mild difficulty with daily activities.
- Stage 4: Moderate impairment. The patient needs help with caring for him or herself as well as with carrying out daily activities.
- Stage 5: Moderate to severe impairment
- Stage 6: Severe Impairment; patients are unable to function independently.
- Stage 7: Very severe impairment. Body and mental functions begin to fail.
Dementia Causes:
Dementia is caused by damage to the brain. The causes of dementia can be generally grouped as follows:
- Degenerative neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal lobar dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease dementia and Huntington’s disease
- Vascular disorders, such as multi-infarct dementia, which is caused by multiple strokes in the brain
- Infections that affect the central nervous system, such as HIV
- Long term drug or alcohol use
- Depression
- Certain types of hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluid within the brain that can result from developmental abnormalities, infections, injury, or brain tumour
Dementia Treatment:
Most types of dementia can’t be cured, but there are ways to manage your symptoms.
Drugs
Your doctor might prescribe a few medications to treat symptoms or conditions, such as depression, sleep disturbances, hallucinations, parkinsonism or agitation.
Creating a safe and supportive environment
Adapting the living situation to the needs of a person with Dementia’s disease is an important part of any treatment plan. For someone with Dementia, establishing and strengthening routine habits and minimizing memory-demanding tasks can make life much easier.
Exercise
Regular exercise is an important part of a treatment plan. Activities such as a daily walk can help improve mood and maintain the health of joints, muscles and the heart. Exercise can also promote restful sleep and prevent constipation — and it’s beneficial for care partners, too.
Nutrition
People with Dementia may forget to eat, lose interest in preparing meals or not eat a healthy combination of foods. They may also forget to drink enough, leading to dehydration and constipation.
Social engagement and activities
Social interactions and activities can support the abilities and skills that are preserved. Doing things that are meaningful and enjoyable are important for the overall well-being of a person with Dementia’s disease.
Dementia Therapies
Several dementia symptoms and behaviour problems might be treated initially using nondrug approaches, such as:
- Occupational therapy. An occupational therapist can show you how to make your home safer and teach coping behaviours. The purpose is to prevent accidents, such as falls; manage behaviour; and prepare you for the dementia progression.
- Modifying the environment. Reducing clutter and noise can make it easier for someone with dementia to focus and function. You might need to hide objects that can threaten safety, such as knives and car keys. Monitoring systems can alert you if the person with dementia wanders.
- Simplifying tasks. Break tasks into easier steps and focus on success, not failure. Structure and routine also help reduce confusion in people with dementia.
Coping and support
Receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be devastating. Many details need to be considered to ensure that you and those around you are as prepared as possible for dealing with a condition that’s unpredictable and progressive.
