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Understanding Dementia
Admin • July 20, 2020

Dementia is a word used to describe a cluster symptoms caused by various diseases or conditions. Dementia itself is not a specific disease but a collection of symptoms, which can include:

  • Memory loss, particularly short-term memory
  • Loss of reasoning or the ability to understand why and how
  • Loss of critical thinking skills or the ability to solve problems
  • Poor judgment
  • Difficulties with communication, including reading and writing
  • Disorientation and getting lost
  • Emotional and personality changes including anxiety, agitation and restlessness
  • Social withdrawal

Some of these symptoms can be a typical part of the aging process, but for a person with dementia, they can become so severe that they will impact functioning.

Dementia may be caused by temporary factors that can be reversible, such as:

  • Dehydration
  • Infection
  • Malnutrition (simply not eating enough)
  • Medication changes
  • Changes in routine/environment

Dementia may also be caused by factors that are not reversible, such as:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Vascular dementia
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Huntington’s disease

If you notice any symptoms of dementia, it is a good idea to see your doctor to discover if the symptoms are the result of a treatable condition or are the result of a more serious issue. If it is discovered the dementia is caused by a non-reversible cause, you should schedule an appointment with a neurologist who can help you treat and manage disease. Dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease — the most common form of dementia — is non-reversible because it causes physical changes in the brain. Specifically, Alzheimer’s causes plaques and tangles in the brain that interrupt the transmission of information between neurons, blocking messages from getting through to their intended target.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, meaning that symptoms will almost always get worse. As Alzheimer’s progresses, the physical and mental demands on the caregiver can become unsustainable. At some point, you may not be able to leave your loved one alone. Certain behaviors may exceed a caregiver’s ability to cope or feel safe. At that point, it may be time to consider full-time in-home help or a facility that specializes in caring for people with dementia.

Senior Using Oxygen — Lady Lake, FL — Tri-County Caregiver Resource Center

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Making Meal Time Enjoyable

By Admin • July 20, 2020
Mealtime for people with dementia can be stressful, overwhelming or frustrating. They may no longer recognize the food in front of them or can’t see it clearly because of poor depth perception. They may struggle to use a knife and fork as coordination becomes difficult. Food may not taste the same or as flavorful as it once did. Food may be difficult to chew or swallow or they may not want to accept assistance with eating. Appetites may also vary among individuals with dementia. Some will want to eat all the time, while others have trouble eating a healthy amount.

Help A Loved On Get Dressed

By Admin • July 20, 2020
Getting dressed and feeling good about how we look is an important part of everyone’s self-esteem, but it is also something we typically do in private. Assisting someone who has dementia with dressing can be a challenge because it is something they are used to doing independently. Here are some general tips that may help you assist your loved one with dressing.

Dealing With Incontinence

By Admin • July 20, 2020
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Honoring Dad on Father's Day

By Admin • July 20, 2020
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Keeping Mothers Day Special In The Face of Dementia

By Admin • July 20, 2020
With the rise in Alzheimer’s disease and its special impact on women, more families are celebrating Mother’s Day with moms who have dementia. Nearly two-thirds of the Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. It’s not their gender that makes them more susceptible, it’s their greater life expectancy. Because women live longer and dementia tends to be a condition of the aged, they simply have more opportunity to get the disease. 
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