Dementia is a progressive brain disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. As we age, our brains naturally undergo changes, but dementia is a more severe condition that can significantly impact our daily lives. Many people worry about normal age-related brain changes, like slightly slower processing speed or periodic forgetfulness, but these are often nothing to worry about, and they are not dementia. Dementia involves brain changes that interfere with a person’s ability to do life tasks, such as managing money, managing medication, remembering important appointments, safely cooking, or navigating a new route. Here’s a little information about dementia in older adults that might help if you are trying to learn more.
Types of Dementia
While there are many forms of dementia, the most common include:
Alzheimer's Disease: This is the most common type of dementia, characterized by the gradual loss of brain cells. It typically begins with memory loss, but as the disease progresses, it can affect language, thinking, and behavior.
Vascular Dementia: Caused by damage to blood vessels in the brain, vascular dementia can lead to sudden cognitive changes a gradual decline that pauses and restarts due to a buildup of damage in the brain.
Lewy Body Dementia: This type of dementia is characterized by the buildup of abnormal protein deposits in the brain. Symptoms can include hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and motor problems, in addition to memory loss and other problems.
Frontotemporal Dementia: This condition affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to changes in personality, behavior, and language.
Common Symptoms of Dementia
The symptoms of dementia can vary depending on the type of disease and the stage of progression. Some common symptoms include:
Memory loss, especially short-term memory
Difficulty following conversations or completing familiar tasks
Changes in mood or personality
Challenges with language and communication
Disorientation and confusion
Problems with spatial awareness
Wandering or getting lost
Changes in sleep patterns
Supporting Older Adults with Dementia
Caring for an older adult with dementia can be both challenging and rewarding. Here are some tips for supporting individuals with this condition:
Create a Safe Environment: Ensure that the home is safe and free of hazards to prevent accidents. Do your best to cut down clutter and eliminate the need for stairs. Consider installing safety features such as grab bars and ramps.
Maintain a Routine: A consistent daily routine can help individuals with dementia feel more secure and less confused. In fact, people with dementia are often able to be quite independent if they have a set and predictable routine. Dementia often suddenly worsens when people have an unexpected change in routine, for example, after a fall or illness that requires hospitalization. This is because a brain with dementia cannot “bounce back” from change the way it could before, so people often have a marked decline around changes.
Provide Socialization: Encourage social activities and interactions with loved ones to help maintain a sense of connection.
Consider Professional Care: As the disease progresses, it may become necessary to seek professional care, such as assisted living or home health services. I always advise families to start looking before you think you will need this type of help, because waitlists can be long, and finding a good fit can take time.
Seek Support: Connect with support groups or online communities for caregivers of individuals with dementia. Sharing experiences and advice can be helpful.
Coping with Dementia
Coping with dementia can be emotionally challenging for both the individual and their caregivers. It is important to remember that there is no cure for dementia, but with the right support, it is possible to maintain a good quality of life, often for a long time. Some strategies for coping include:
Accepting the Diagnosis: Acknowledging the diagnosis and understanding the disease can help reduce stress and anxiety. Talking about the situation and feelings with loved ones can help everyone feel supported.
Seeking Counseling: Talking to a therapist can provide emotional support and coping strategies. This can be especially helpful early on in a dementia diagnosis, when a person is very aware of their diagnosis and what it means and may experience fears, grief, and anger.
Caregiver Self-Care: It is essential for caregivers to prioritize their own well-being. Make time for self-care activities, time away from caregiving, and rest. This is often the most difficult part of caregiving, and caregivers often feel they have to “give up” their own lives in order to support their loved one with dementia. But self-care is incredibly important, because none of us can give from an empty cup, and caregiver burnout is common.
Focusing on Positive Moments: Celebrate small victories and cherish the time spent together. Identify the activities that still bring joy and are doable, and focus on those, rather than what you can no longer do. For example, reading a favorite book out loud together, looking at pictures of your life, or going on walks outside together are simple things that people with dementia often enjoy well into the disease progression.
Dementia is a complex disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It can feel like a devastating loss that drags on for years and is hard on the individual with dementia as well as their families and friends. Understanding what is going on is the first step in coping and finding the best quality of life possible with dementia.
Begin Dementia Testing in Los Angeles, CA
You and your loved ones don’t have to wonder if dementia is playing a part in your health concerns. Dr. Reger is happy to offer support with dementia testing and other forms of support to help you achieve greater clarity and understanding. You can start the assessment process by following these simple steps:
Contact (424) 262-1925 to schedule your appointment
Meet with Dr. Reger for an evaluation
Start having your questions answered!
Other Services Offered by Dr. Reger in Los Angeles, CA
Dementia testing isn’t the only service offered at my Redondo Beach-based practice. In addition, I am happy to also offer capacity assessments, neuropsychological and psychological assessments, pre-surgical assessments, and med-legal evaluations. In addition to evaluations, I also provide individual therapy, counseling for older adults, and mental health consultations and presentations. Visit my blog for more help today!