Dementia is not a specific disease but is rather a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities . Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Though dementia mostly affects older adults, it is not a part of normal aging.
What is the main cause of dementia?
Dementia is caused by damage to or changes in the brain. Common causes of dementia are: Alzheimer's disease . This is the most common cause of dementia.
What are the 10 warning signs of dementia?
- Sign 1: Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities. ...
- Sign 2: Difficulty performing familiar tasks. ...
- Sign 3: Problems with language. ...
- Sign 4: Disorientation in time and space. ...
- Sign 5: Impaired judgement. ...
- Sign 6: Problems with abstract thinking. ...
- Sign 7: Misplacing things.
What is dementia in a person?
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life . Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.
What happens during dementia?
Dementia is a broad term that describes a loss of thinking ability, memory, attention, logical reasoning, and other mental abilities . These changes are severe enough to interfere with social or occupational functioning. Many things can cause dementia.
At what point do dementia patients need 24 hour care?
Late stage Alzheimer's sufferers become unable to function and eventually lose control of movement . They need 24-hour care and supervision. They are unable to communicate, even to share that they are in pain, and are more vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia.
What foods are bad for dementia?
New research finds that it's not only what you eat, but also how you combine certain foods that can increase your risk of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia in later life. The foods most strongly associated with this risk were sugary snacks, alcohol, processed meats, and starches like potatoes .
What stage of dementia is anger?
Aggressive Behavior by Stage of Dementia
The middle stages of dementia are when anger and aggression are most likely to start occurring as symptoms, along with other worrying habits like wandering, hoarding, and compulsive behaviors that may seem unusual.
Can dementia be cured?
There is currently no cure for dementia . But there are medicines and other treatments that can help with dementia symptoms.
How can dementia be prevented?
- Be physically active. Doing regular physical activity is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of dementia. ...
- Eat healthily. ...
- Don't smoke. ...
- Drink less alcohol. ...
- Exercise your mind. ...
- Take control of your health.
What age is dementia most common?
Dementia is more common in people over the age of 65 , but it can also affect younger people. Early onset of the disease can begin when people are in their 30s, 40s, or 50s.
How long can dementia last?
The average life expectancy figures for the most common types of dementia are as follows: Alzheimer's disease – around eight to 10 years . Life expectancy is less if the person is diagnosed in their 80s or 90s. A few people with Alzheimer's live for longer, sometimes for 15 or even 20 years.
Can dementia get worse suddenly?
Dementia is a progressive condition, meaning that it gets worse over time . The speed of deterioration differs between individuals. Age, general health and the underlying disease causing brain damage will all affect the pattern of progression. However, for some people the decline can be sudden and rapid.
What should you not say to someone with dementia?
- “You're wrong” ...
- “Do you remember...?” ...
- “They passed away.” ...
- “I told you...” ...
- “What do you want to eat?” ...
- “Come, let's get your shoes on and get to the car, we need to go to the store for some groceries.”
What can make dementia worse?
Damage to small blood vessels deep in the brain can cause dementia that worsens gradually, like Alzheimer's disease. When damage is due to a major stroke (potentially due to the blockage of a major blood vessel) or a series of small strokes, symptoms occur suddenly.
What are the 3 stages of dementia?
It can be helpful to think of dementia progressing in three stages – early, middle and late . These are sometimes called mild, moderate and severe, because this describes how much the symptoms affect a person.
