What is Dementia?

Dementia is a non-specific syndrome in which affected areas of brain function may be affected, such as memory, language, problem solving and attention. Dementia, unlike Alzheimer’s, is not a disease in itself. When dementia appears the higher mental functions of the patient are involved initially. Eventually, in the later stages, the person may not know what day of the week, month or year it is, he may not know where he is, and might not be able to identify the people around him.

Dementia is significantly more common among elderly people. However, it can affect adults of any age.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

•    Memory loss. An individual may forget his way back home from shopping. He may forget names and places. She may find it hard to remember what happened earlier on during the day.
•    Moodiness . The individual may become more and more moody as parts of the brain that control emotion become damaged.  Moods may also be affected by fear and anxiety. The person may become frightened about what is happening to him.
•    Communicative difficulties. The affected person finds it harder to talk, read and/or write.
As the dementia progresses, the patient’s ability to carry out everyday tasks diminishes and he may not be able to look after himself.

Alzheimer’s disease is by far the most common cause of dementia. The chemistry and structure of the brain of a person with Alzheimer’s disease changes and his brain cells die prematurely.

Diagnosing Dementia

According to the guidelines published by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, (a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) a person who has difficulties with one or more of the following activities should be evaluated for dementia:

•Learning and retaining new information. The person regularly misplaces objects, has trouble remembering appointments or recent conversations, or is repetitive in conversation.
•Handling complex tasks. The individual has trouble with previously familiar activities, like balancing a checkbook, cooking a meal, or other tasks that involve a complex train of thought.
•Ability to reason. The person finds it difficult to respond appropriately to everyday problems. Or, a previously responsible person may display poor judgment about social or financial matters.
• Spatial ability and orientation. Driving and finding one’s way in familiar surroundings become difficult or impossible, and the person may have problems recognizing known objects and landmarks.
• Language. The ability to speak or comprehend seems impaired, and the person may      have problems following or participating in conversations.
• Behavior. Personality changes emerge. For example, the person appears more passive and less responsive than usual, or more suspicious and irritable. Visual or auditory stimuli may be misinterpreted.

What the US Department of Health and Human Services reports:

Dementia causes a high burden of suffering for patients and their families. For patients, it leads to cognitive and functional deterioration, behavioral complications, increased use of health and social services, complicated clinical management of other conditions, and increased risk for medical complications such as delirium, falls,
motor vehicle crashes, incontinence, fractures, and infections. For family caregivers, dementia can lead to financial and emotional stress.

Family members, usually elderly spouses, care for 66% to 75% of dementia patients at home.

“The progressive nature of the dementia syndrome has especially negative effects on the caregiver. Most studies have found higher levels of anxiety, depression, and use of psychotropic medications in caregivers compared with population controls.

One study reported that 80% of caregivers of dementia patients have chronic fatigue, depression, or anger. Recent data have suggested that caregiver burden can be an important determinant of the severity and frequency of dementia patients behavioral problems and of the need to place patients in an institutional setting.”

Innovative Nurses & Sitters has over 16 years of experience in providing Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care. We can provide you with the professionals experienced in the kind of care your loved one needs.  We are committed to making life better for both you and your loved one.