DEMENTIA

Dementia:

 

Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior.

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Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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Most types of dementia are nonreversible (degenerative). Nonreversible means the changes in the brain that are causing the dementia cannot be stopped or turned back. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. There's no cure yet, but the good news is that there is a growing evidence that some kinds of mental exercise can help!

Because of the intensity of care involved, it is often difficult for a loving family to provide all the "round the clock" care that your loved ones would need. Dementia Care Aides bridges this gap. Whether you need few hours a day/week or 24 hours live-in, we can provide you with a customized care from our aides who understand the disease for optimal care, safety and peace of mind.

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Types of Dementia:

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• Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type

  • Approximately 50 percent of all cases of dementia are caused by Alzheimer's disease.

 

• Vascular Dementia

  • Vascular dementia is cause by small strokes that stop blood flow to parts of the brain.

 

• Dementia Due to Other General Medical Conditions

  • Medical conditions that can cause dementia include HIV, head trauma, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Pick's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, metabolic disorders, and hypoglycemia.

 

• Substance-Induced Persisting Dementia

  • The use of a substance such as alcohol or the sudden withdrawal from a substance can cause dementia. This is diagnosed only if the symptoms last beyond normal withdrawal time for the substance.

 

• Dementia Not Otherwise Specified

  • This is the category for dementia that doesn't fit in an above category.

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Possible Early signs of Dementia:

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    Early Warning Signs:

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• Recent memory loss that impairs the person's ability to complete routine assignments at work and/or function effectively at home: May frequently forget names, phone numbers and work tasks and have trouble remembering them even when reminded.

 

• Problems with language: May progressively forget simple words, substitute inappropriate words, and/or make statements that don't make sense.

 

• Disorientation in time and space and getting confused or lost in a familiar place: May leave their home and then forget where they intended to go, could become lost on a nearby street and not know how to get home.

 

• Difficulty completing familiar tasks: May, for example, prepare a meal but forget to serve it--or even forget that they ever made it.

 

• Distorted judgment: May dress inappropriately, completely forget what they've set out to do mid-task, or forget key routine tasks, such as keeping set appointments or caring for their pet.

 

• Problems with abstract thinking: May have trouble with simple mathematical calculations such as balancing a checkbook or remembering a familiar, often-used phone number.

 

• Misplacing things: May put things in inappropriate places, such as putting their keys in the microwave, toothbrush in the kitchen cabinet, or their briefcase in the refrigerator.

 

• Repeated and sudden changes in mood and behavior: May begin exhibiting out-of-character rapid mood swings for no apparent reason.

 

• Changes in personality: May start to act in ways that are counter to their usual personality style, for example, acting suspicious, fearful, or confused.

 

• Loss of initiative to do things: May become passive, unresponsive, express little interest in previously enjoyed activities and require real encouragement to get involved.

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