Facts You Need to Know About Dementia
Senior Care Authority - Pittsburgh Market
For more information about the author, click to view their website: https://seniorcareauthority.com/locations/pittsburgh-pa/
Feb 22, 2024
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
What is Dementia?
Dementia is actually not a disease in
and of itself but, rather, a syndrome that is characterized by a collection of
symptoms affecting cognition and memory, making it hard to remember, think
clearly, and make decisions. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of
dementia, although it’s important to note that not all people who have been
diagnosed with dementia necessarily have Alzheimer’s Disease. Some other types
of dementia typically identified are vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia,
frontal temporal and mixed dementia.
What Are Some Dementia
Symptoms?
All of us have occasional problems
recalling a name, accessing an old memory, or remembering where we may have
parked our car. But someone living with dementia will exhibit a range of
troubling and persistent symptoms that get worse and may include:
·
Changes in mood and
personality
·
Decreased or poor
judgment
·
Problems speaking or
writing
·
Confusion with time or
place
·
Disruptions in daily
life due to memory loss
·
Difficulty managing
everyday tasks
·
Repetitive behaviors
If your loved one is exhibiting any of
these symptoms, it’s important to know that it does not necessarily mean a
dementia diagnosis; infections and dehydration, vitamin deficiencies, and
depression can present many of these signs. However, if any of these symptoms
persist or worsen, it’s essential that you consult a physician who can make a
diagnosis. It’s also helpful to know that no single test can make a
determination; a diagnosis is based on a range of medical tests, creating a
baseline, and an individual’s medical history.
How Quickly Does the
Disease Progress?
Dementia is a progressive condition —
it gets worse over time, not better. For some, the disease progresses rapidly;
in others, it takes years to get to the point where outside help is required.
The progression depends largely on the underlying cause, whether it be
Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body disease, Parkinson’s disease, or some other root
condition. While people will experience the stages of dementia differently,
most will exhibit some of the symptoms. On average, dementia patients will live
four to eight years after their diagnosis, although some live as long as 20
years after being diagnosed.
Does Dementia Only
Affect Seniors?
Dementia is more commonly diagnosed in
people over 65, but it can affect people in their 30s, 40s, or 50s. The
estimated average age of onset of dementia in the U.S. is 83+ years old.
How Can We Help After A
Dementia Diagnosis?
If someone has been diagnosed with dementia, it’s important to know there are expert resources available to both you and your family members that can help you navigate the progression of the disease. The sooner you familiarize yourself with them, the better. As Certified Dementia Practitioners, the advisors at Senior Care Authority can help you decide on the right help at the right time, including setting up in-home visits, scheduling respite care, learning important communication skills, and helping you decide on an assisted living situation, should that be warranted. It is so important to remember that you are not alone. We have helped hundreds of families respond to the challenges of a dementia diagnosis, and we can do the same for you, too. To find out more about the symptoms of dementia and how we can help, get in touch with Senior Care Authority today.
- To view the original version of this article visit www.seniorcareauthority.com/locations/north-pittsburgh/blog/facts-you-need-to-know-about-dementia/
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
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