Dementia is a condition that primarily affects one’s cognitive abilities. It is common in older people and the most common symptom is memory loss. Dementia has no specified risk factors as discovered by scientists. However, recent studies link the disease to various factors like age, family history, head injuries and stroke risk factors:

Photo by gettyimages

Age: Increasing age is often a risk factor for many maladies. Dementia is one of the first in the list. This is because, as people grow older, they tend to have a worse memory as they had when they were younger. Also, the body has lower disease resisting capability when it gets older, and also fills cuts or injuries slower than usual.

Dementia has been associated with old age and indeed, most cases of Dementia are with older people. Though there are some inflicted at a young age, but this occurrence rarely happens.

Family History: Family history is a very important factor. If a family member has had a Dementia-related or Dementia-type disease, a person is much more susceptible to get the disease.

Stroke risks: This is another serious condition. This happens when a part of the brain suddenly has a different blood supply from previously. This happens when a blood supply vein or artery bursts and the brain receives a lower supply of blood. This change in the supply of blood can damage the brain with varying intensities. It may then lead to one type of Dementia.

Head Injuries: This is another high risk factor. When a person has a head injury, any part of the brain may be affected and lead to Dementia. Otherwise, an injury can also lead to the rupturing of an artery or vein, therefore leading to stroke.

As much as it has been proved, Dementia can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. It may occur no matter how much we protect ourselves. But knowing these risk factors will help keep one from acquiring this condition.

As the adage goes, “prevention is better than cure”. So, even if you cannot remove the risks, you can try to minimize them as much as possible.

Caring for a person with any disease is never easy. It is especially difficult when a person tends to not understand things and forget common things, as is the case with Dementia.

Photo by gettyimages

The first step towards caring for such patients is providing them with a sense of well-being and physical safety. Things that were taken for granted before may require planning now. Intensive planning must be undertaken for home-safety and social life.

The patient must be communicated to properly with each and every phase of this disease. They also should be allowed fun and socializing with people even if they may not recognize them. Visitors should be scheduled to prevent surprises and to have something to look forward to.

The next step is planning. First of all, the caregiver must be careful as to how the news of the diagnosis is broken. The caregiver may need to explain to the patient why he/she cannot do something that other people can do. Sometimes, the patient may not even remember that he/she has Dementia, and in this case, he/she should always be told that they have a memory problem.

Then the caregiver should develop a positive attitude. This is because we can only try to cure a person when they have hope that they can be cured. This hope comes directly from the caregiver. The caregiver themselves should have emotional support as it may be sometimes impossible to take care of the patient. The caregiver should always be affectionate to the patient. All requests should be acknowledged.

The next step is scheduling the day. This step should involve training of the patient, milestones that the patient can look forward to including fun and also a time when the patient can go outdoors.

The caregivers should remember the essential human worth of the patient. They should remember that the patient is an actual person who has just had a terrible calamity. Taking the patient to see other Dementia patients may help relieve them that there are others similar to them.

The last but most necessary step is patience. The patient should be dealt with patiently and it should be remembered that his or her behavior abnormalities are not purposeful. The caregiver should try to help the patient in every possible way and sending the patient to an institution should be considered as the last resort.

In the end, the caregiver must remember that managing a Dementia patient is a difficult work and may be overwhelming at times. Every day may bring new challenges that the caregiver might find difficult to face. The caregiver should learn to cope with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior.

Dementia is characterized by several symptoms with the main sign being in the form of forgetfulness. Other symptoms of Dementia are due to head injury, depression, and stroke. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Pick’s diseases are well-known health conditions that cause Dementia.

Photo by gettyimages

It is common among people over the age of 65 but it can also be seen among younger age groups. For this reason, it is suggested to know some tips in coping with this deadly disease. Unfortunately, there are no specific medications or treatment known for Dementia. Healthy lifestyle does help, though, in avoiding this. As the old adage goes, “prevention is better than cure.”

There are some drugs available in the market, like Reminyl, Exelon, Aricept and Ebixa, which can only slow down the process of memory loss and other symptoms in the early stages of Dementia. Others use non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs but they are not recommended for they tend to create unlikely effects on the human body.

These drugs have adverse results on the patient and so it is advised to consult the doctor first. Several types of therapies such as Hormone Replacement Therapy, Stains and alternative drugs are also used to cope with Dementia.

Foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins C and E are always recommended for they help in reducing memory loss and preventing the human brain cells from damaging. Precaution must also be taken, though, as too much Vitamin E can cause some ill effects on the patient.

Oily fish is also helpful if taken properly. Acupuncture treatment may also produce some good results. Bright light treatment is also performed with acupuncture, which suppresses a hormone called melatonin.

It is believed that a good environment and proper caring creates better response on a Dementia patient. Thus, it is advised to always have them eat well, let them have improved sleeping habits and keep their room well-ventilated with stimulated atmosphere.

Genetic theory has also a major part for developing Dementia, thus, persons having family history of this condition should take initial precautions and live a healthy lifestyle while they are still young.

Dementia patients need proper care and attention more than anything else. Drugs can only slow down the mental degradation process. If proper care is not given, a cure may already be impossible as the condition progresses to an irreversible state.

Photo by smyrland

The patient’s family, as always, is the best source of help. Family members can give the much needed care and emotional support to the patient. They can best help the patient by trying to tell stories and happy memories to make the patient remember things. This can give the patient relief and hope for a cure and a better future.

If family members are not able to cope with the demands of the patient with Dementia, nurses and caregivers can be hired to look after the patient. These health practitioners are knowledgeable about the condition and can definitely help the patient go through the daily activities required to cope with the disease.

The nurses and caregivers can also perform various tests needed to diagnose the patient’s condition, as well as give medications at proper time intervals. It is best that the patient still stays in the house with a certified nurse or caregiver as this is the best place to help the patient remember things that may have been forgotten.

Hospitals are the next option where care for Dementia patients is given. Hospitals have efficient staff and are equipped with devices needed to help the patient recover from the condition a lot faster. Although hospital care will not be able to match the kind of care a loving family can give, still, it can provide the patient hope for better days ahead.

If hospitals aren’t the right place, there are institutions that specialize in providing treatments for patients with Dementia. These institutions can help the patient recover a lot faster, though the care given is not as personal as that given by the family. They have doctors that are trained specifically for Dementia.

Some institutions of this kind, which have done notable work and have a wonderful track record, are The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (The NINDS), John Hopkins Medical Institutions, The Frontotemporal Dementia Clinic, and The Institute for Brain Aging.

Dementia is such a difficult disease. If no proper care is given during the early stages of the condition, it may be totally irreversible and no technology will be able to help cure the patient.

The information and technology we have right now with regard to this medical condition is not enough. Continuous research should be done to be able to uncover some new developments and possibly develop measures that can prevent, or even cure, Dementia.

Dementia is a medical condition that requires a lot of help and support for the patient. A dementia patient and his family may have difficulty dealing with the situation by themselves. The existence of support groups and institutions is definitely a big help for them.

There are day hospitals and care centers in most communities that specialize in this mental disorder. Generally, these institutions provide therapies for the patient. Some techniques are also applied by caregivers and nurses to help the patient improve their gradually decreasing memory.

These techniques include reminding the patient the time of the day, naming a familiar person, and remembering some of the patient’s personal background.

As the stage of Dementia progresses, the patient needs increasing care and support as well. If the family members cannot provide the support needed by the patient, it is best to search for different care centers in the area.

Thorough checking of the institution is advised so as to make sure that the patient will be in good hands. A residential care center can give the patient special personal care and time; whereas, nursing care is easily available at specialized nursing homes.

There are local social service groups that can assess the present condition of the Dementia patient and recommend the best treatment for the condition based on the assessment. These groups can even provide an estimated cost for the treatment of this condition.

If the patient’s family decides to keep the patient in their own house, the following aspects of patient care should be maintained.

1. The patient should claim welfare benefits from all possible sources.

2. Special equipment such as special type of shower, special type of wheel chair, raised seat of toilet, and improved heating system must be incorporated inside the house to give relief to a patient.

3. A short time respite care can be called to the home if needed.

4. Some agencies provide sheltered accommodation for a Dementia patient which can be rented or bought.

Local support groups provide all the necessary information. If the local social service group is unable to provide specific information, it is always advised to take assistance from help centers of other areas. Local Alzheimer’s Society or Age Concern group may help in providing some important information.

Taking care of a Dementia sufferer brings a new challenge everyday. It is often difficult, and may sometimes seem overwhelming. You should know, however, that there are support services available. The first step to getting support is obtaining any information you can on the topic of Dementia.

There are many organizations spread the world over that can help you on this. Support services include:

Counseling: This can be especially useful for the patient as well as the caregiver. They can learn about new developments and also learn about ways to take care.

Health Services: These services also provide valuable services -

Photo by storycorps

1. The family doctor is the first to respond. He/she prescribes medicines and refers you to further specialists.

2. The CDAMSC or Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service Clinic can help in early diagnosis and identification. It is also especially helpful in prescribing medicines.

3. ACAS or Aged Care Assessment Service.

4. District Nursing Services.

5. Other health services including speech therapy, podiatry, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Home Support Services: Some of these services for Dementia patients staying at home, and for their caretakers are:

• Community Aged Care Packages.
• Meals on Wheels providing home-delivered meals.
• Home help that can offer help with showering, cleaning, and dressing.
• The Independent Living Centre in each State provides different services designed to promote safe living.

Respite care: Family members and caregivers also need to have breaks from time to time from taking care of their Dementia patient. This can be done by arranging regular respite care for the Dementia patient. Respite care has different types depending on the setup:

• Residential respite – this service is available in nursing homes and hostels to allow the caregiver to take a break from taking care of the patient.
• In-home respite – gives assistance in the home to enable the caregiver to have short time off away from home.

One cause of Dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. This disease has been known to attack elderly people and cause them to forget things about themselves. Alzheimer’s disease does not pick on whom to inflict. If it is bound to happen, it will happen. Even famous people can have Alzheimer’s. Here are some known personalities who had this disease and short stories about how they went on with their life having Alzheimer’s:

President Ronald Reagan

Credit: wikimedia.org

The late President Reagan was one of those people who suffered from this fatal memory loss. Though the symptoms were realized years after his term had ended, he might had some hints of waning mental abilities when he was still in the White House. He once joked to his doctor on one of his regular checkups, “I have three things that I want to tell you today. The first is that I seem to be having a little problem with my memory. I cannot remember the other two.” People with Alzheimer’s disease seem to know that something is not right even during the early stages.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

This renowned author also suffered dementia during the latter years of his life. The disease caused him to forget even his own name. However, his response to the disease was a lot different from normal. He accepted his condition well and he didn’t seem to realize the gravity of his situation.

Willem de Kooning

de Kooning was an artist known for his dark, introspective and complex paintings during his earlier years. As he got old, he suffered from Dementia which was likely due to Alzheimer’s disease. During those years when he cannot remember anything from his past, he still continued on with his love for art. Apparently, his theme changed into brighter, lighter, and livelier work full of colors. Alzheimer’s can cause people to have a fresh, new insight on familiar things.

Aaron Copland

Composer Aaron Copland started experiencing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s in his late 70s. With the condition, he easily forgot where he was and did not remember questions thrown at him as well as his responses. Surprisingly, given the nature of the condition, he was still able to conduct his masterpiece “Appalachian Spring” until he died. Suffering from the disease isolated him to his social world.

People with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease have different reactions and responses to their condition. But however they view the situation, the important thing is these people should be taken care of and showered with attention to be able to gracefully cope with the disease.

Dementia is a problem related to the brain. So, it may require several types of doctors to diagnose, treat or manage dementia. They are listed below:

Credit: flickr

Allopathic Physician – This doctor is a first level physician who deals with the musculoskeletal system. He/she generally deals with physical or internal injuries to the brain.

This kind of physician can help find the cause of Dementia through various kinds of tests including Access CT Scans, ultrasounds, Electrocardiogram and Physical examinations. He/she can then cure basic Dementia through spinal manipulation, minor surgeries, etc. He/she can also provide medication and counsel.

Certified Nursing Assistant – This is a health specialist whose work is directed by nurses. He/she can help maintain vital signs and take care of Dementia patients. This kind of specialist can be very helpful in managing patients and can assist them in almost every possible field.

Family Practice Physician – This physician can be the first step towards detecting and diagnosing Dementia. They can also provide references to doctors specializing in Dementia and can help a patient through prescription, counsel and advise.

General Practitioner – This doctor diagnoses and treats Dementia. They can also provide further references to specialists in the field of Dementia and also provide medications and counsel.

Geriatric Medicine Specialist – This specialist diagnoses and treats problems in older patients. They can be a vital help for older people with Dementia. They can refer to more specialists and prescribe basic Dementia medication too.

Internist – This is a doctor dealing with adult care. These specialists can do access CT scans, ultrasounds and x-rays. They can also help through counsel, suturing and health education.

Licensed Mental Health Counselor – This doctor provides counseling for mental health patients and can refer to experts.

Licensed Nurse – This professional has their work directed by doctors and can be useful for tests and providing information about care for the patient.

Neurosurgeon – This specialist can be the most important help needed for curing and diagnosing Dementia patients. They can prescribe medicines, can provide counsel and can also examine every aspect of mental activity.

Psychiatrist – This mental behavior specialist can help soothe the Dementia patient and can also give him or her hope for a better future. They can at the same time manage Dementia patients.

Other doctors include Psychologists who are similar to psychiatrists, Osteopathic Physicians and Nurse practitioners who serve their important purpose. Medical help in the field of Dementia is very important and can make all the difference between cure and lapsing into a nonreturnable state.

People suffering from Dementia develop a mental block resulting in severe memory loss and other related symptoms of the disorder. Dementia is caused by a damage to the brain cells. And it is true that once a brain cell is dead, it can never be replaced. Thus, there is really no definite treatment to fully or effectively cure Dementia.

However, some drug and non-drug treatments can slow the damaging process of the brain cells. When the Dementia is already in the advanced stage, the focus of care is to be given to the daily activities of the Dementia patient. There are some medicines available to help Dementia patients. But before taking any medication, it is always advisable to consult a specialist first.

There are two types of tests conducted on a Dementia patient. One is the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the other one is Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS). Neuropsychological tests, like mathematical puzzles, are performed to determine the most affected area of the brain. Getting an MMSE score of less than 24 and an AMTS score of less than six suggest that there is a need for more evaluation of the patients.

It is very important to consult a physician so that diagnosis can be confirmed and treatment can be started at the right time. Usually a routine blood test is also conducted, which includes thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), vitamin B12, C-reactive protein, folic acid, calcium, full blood count, liver enzymes, electrolytes, and renal function.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR scan) or CT scan is always performed. Analysis of spinal fluid and electroencephalograms (Brain Wave Measurement) are sometimes required. All these tests help determine the exact underlying cause of Dementia.

Researchers are constantly engaged in developing new drugs to find more innovative ways to cure this medical condition. A person who is suspected to develop Dementia is always advised to consult a neurologist, neuropsychologist, gerontologist, or a physiotherapist to get the proper diagnosis.

It is always best to also remember that treatment depends on the underlying cause. Different causes of Dementia require different treatments. In some cases, drugs are necessary; in others, some non-drug interventions can also help. For instance, cessation of alcohol is needed in alcoholic Dementia. In vascular Dementia, control of blood pressure and aspirin is helpful.

Behavioral symptoms often respond to non-drug interventions, therefore, behavioral management strategies can also be of great help. Dementia patients should be provided with a soothing and stimulating environment of light, color and music which can help a lot in improving the patient’s condition.

Generally, Dementia is a condition of memory loss. People who have Dementia often realize the symptoms of the condition only during its middle stages. There are different kinds or groups of Dementia. Several diseases are also associated with the condition.

The different classifications of Dementia below group the disorders with common features.

Cortical Dementia – This is the classification of Dementia where the outer layer of the brain or the brain’s cortex is the main portion affected by the brain damage. Problems with memory, thinking, language and social behavior can be due to cortical Dementia.

Subcortical Dementia – With subcortical dementia, the parts of the brain which are affected are those below the cortex. This category of dementia can also bring about memory loss, degradation in thinking ability as well as changes in movement and emotions.

Progressive Dementia – As its term implies, this kind of Dementia does not get any better as time goes by. Over time, the condition of a person with a progressive dementia gets worse. The disease gradually alters and decreases different cognitive abilities.

Primary Dementia – This classification of Dementia is not brought about by any other forms or diseases. An example of this kind of dementia is the famous Alzheimer’s disease. Primary dementia happens by itself without any factors causing it to occur.

Secondary Dementia – Contrary to primary Dementia, this is one that is brought about by an injury or another physical disease. An example of this would be an accident causing serious head and brain damage, hence memory loss.

There are types of Dementia that fall under two or more Dementia classifications. Alzheimer’s disease, for one, is considered a cortical and progressive Dementia.

There are also forms of Dementia that are rare or unusual. Here are some examples of uncommon types of Dementia:

Lewy Body Dementia – Within the brain cells, there are some areas where abnormal staining occurs. These areas are referred to as lewy bodies. These are either found alone or combined with senile plaques of Alzheimer’s in the cerebral cortex. People afflicted with Lewy Body Dementia may show symptoms of paranoid delusions or hallucinations, episodes of confusion, or gait disturbance.

Pick’s Disease – People with Pick’s disease have swollen and abnormal brain cells in the frontal and temporal lobes. The effect of Pick’s disease on a person varies. It can change the person’s personality and sexual behavior. It can also cause speech defects such as echolalia, failure to identify objects and routine development.