Dementia And its Types That Demands Dementia Care Services

No one can determine when and how someone can fall sick. The only way is to give an ill person the necessary treatment and enough love and care to help them recover faster. In this blog, readers will get information on dementia care.

Despite the sufficient popularity of this disease, many people might not know about it. So, you will learn what it is, the symptoms, treatment, and how family members can help the patient recover and live everyday life.

PRECISE INFORMATION ON DEMENTIA:

Dementia is an umbrella term describing a decline in mental ability that has lasted at least six months. Not all types of dementia are curable, but treatments can often slow down the progression. It helps ease some distressing symptoms and make it easier for you and your loved ones to cope with them.

1. The ‘typical’ symptoms of dementia

Memory problems are common. Someone with dementia will usually experience a decline in their thinking, communication, and social abilities. This results in difficulties with the following:

Memory – e.g., forgetting or misplacing essential items, events, or conversations; the difficulty in learning new information or routine tasks that should have become easier to execute through practice, such as getting dressed.

Communication – e.g., taking longer to find the right words or having difficulty understanding or being understood by family members, friends, or colleagues; repeating questions or stories.

Social skills – e.g., feeling uncomfortable in social situations; withdrawing from others and avoiding social contact; showing less interest or spontaneity in doing things.

2. Early symptoms of dementia

Early symptoms can often be very subtle and are sometimes missed by friends, family, and even health professionals working with the person affected. Symptoms may include:

It is more irritable or anxious than usual; experiencing personality changes or unusual behavior attracts attention.

Having increasing difficulty coping with work, other responsibilities, or family situations.

Feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks.

3. The types of dementia

Around 60 diseases can cause dementia, the most common being Alzheimer’s disease (about 70-80% of cases). Many types of dementia are characterized by a gradual loss of brain cells, resulting in a gradual erosion of the person’s thinking, communication, and reasoning abilities.

The other 20% of cases are due to ‘stroke’-type dementia following a major stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). It often results in an abrupt rather than a gradual worsening of symptoms. However, people with ‘stroke’ type dementia should not be written off as the condition is often reversible in its early stages.

4. Symptoms of vascular dementia

Some people with ‘stroke’ type dementia may have had a series of minor strokes or episodes of reduced blood flow to the brain instead of one major attack.

5. Distinguishing between the types of dementia

The function, structure, and appearance of the brain are different for each kind of dementia. A health professional can therefore make a diagnosis after an assessment, including:

A detailed account of the symptoms and how they have changed over time; discussion with family members and other caregivers who can provide information about how the person has been in the past; a physical examination; and sometimes tests such as memory, balance, hearing, and sight.

6. Tests for dementia

In the early stages, there are no tests that can diagnose dementia or rule it out. The only way to know whether a person has dementia is through a detailed assessment by a health professional.

Alzheimer’s Disease:

A progressive degenerative condition affecting more than 70% of people who have some form of dementia. It is the most common cause of dementia in people aged 65 years and over.

Vascular Dementia:

Caused by the reduced blood supply to the brain, often due to atherosclerosis (the build-up of fatty deposits on artery walls). A series of minor strokes cause symptoms. It is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s Disease.

Fronto-temporal dementia:

Usually affects people in their 50s and 60s. It is characterized by changes in personality and behavior and difficulties with language and comprehension (e.g., finding words or understanding sentences).

Dementia with Lewy bodies:

People often experience visual hallucinations, fluctuating cognition, and movement problems. It is the third most common type of dementia. Dementia care is a necessity in this era!

Alcohol-related brain damage:

Neuro-imaging can show shrinkage in critical brain areas that control speech, memory, and other skills learned before a person starts drinking alcohol excessively.

People with dementia often require support groups for daily care. Due to a lack of thinking power, it is best to leave them with experts that can assist with caring for a person round the clock.

Metrolina Home Care specializes in these kinds of services. If you need the best care for your loved ones, trust us for assistance, and we will not let you down. Our team is trained, skilled, and dedicated to looking after, sick people. Call us now for aid!