Dementia symptoms, including memory loss, can interfere with everyday life and cause panic and frustration for older adults. They may struggle with short-term memory lapses and forget simple things such as:
Experiencing memory loss isn’t a 100% indicator, but it's important to spot the first signs of dementia to determine a clear diagnosis and treatment plan.
Dementia affects each person differently, in varying degrees and at different rates. Individuals usually need to experience two or more symptoms that dramatically interfere with their daily life to receive a dementia diagnosis. However, if you notice one or more of the early signs in someone you love, schedule an appointment with a doctor who can make a complete assessment.
The first 6 signs and symptoms of dementia may include:
Dementia takes many forms, but all are caused by physical changes in the brain.
The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s, accounting for 60 to 70 percent of cases, according to the World Health Organization. Alzheimer’s is a slowly progressive brain disease that begins well before symptoms emerge. It is caused by changes in certain parts of the brain that result in the death of nerve cells.
As the damage spreads through the brain, so does the severity of symptoms. People living with Alzheimer’s will eventually require total medical care.
Other forms of dementia include:
The specific cause of each is different.
The three most important risk factors for Alzheimer' are age, family history and genetics. Research has also found the following information:
The risk of developing dementia increases with conditions that damage the heart and blood vessels, like heart disease, diabetes and stroke. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can also increase risk. Work with your doctor to manage and control these conditions.
Anyone with dementia should be under a doctor’s care. Alzheimer’s can be treated with certain medications. Those with vascular dementia should work to avoid further strokes by managing blood pressure, treating high cholesterol and diabetes and should not smoke cigarettes.
But many can live with dementia for years with help from family, friends and trained home care professionals.
These professionals are called caregivers and they’re an outstanding resource for helping loved ones who have dementia.
Caregivers can help those with dementia by ensuring they:
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America provides free, confidential memory screenings throughout the U.S. on an ongoing basis. This kind of screening can help determine if someone might benefit from a comprehensive medical evaluation.
While it can be particularly hard on a family member providing dementia care, professional resources are available to help your loved one live safely and comfortably. Visiting Angels provides specialized in-home dementia care services for seniors with early-stage, mid-stage, or late-stage dementia. Our caregivers help people with dementia maintain quality of life inside their own home. We also provide family members with much-needed respite care.
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