Do you have seniors in your home? If you do, have you noticed them being more forgetful that they used to be? These might be signs of Dementia. But before we go and self diagnose let us first get to know “Dementia” in a deeper sense.
According to the World Health Organization, Over 55 million individuals worldwide have dementia, and more than 60% of them reside in low- and middle-income nations. This figure is expected to rise to 78 million in 2030 and 139 million in 2050, taking into account the fact that the proportion of older people in the population is rising in almost every country. Although it affects millions of individuals and becomes more prevalent as people age, dementia is not a typical aspect of aging. Numerous seniors reach their 90s and beyond without exhibiting and developing any dementia symptoms.
The loss of cognitive abilities, such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning, to the point where it affects a person’s day-to-day functioning is known as dementia. Many dementia patients struggle to manage their emotions, and their personalities may shift. And as dementia reaches its most severe level, a person will have to rely on others to do even the most basic daily duties, such as feeding oneself. Dementia can vary in intensity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe degree.
As a broad word for the poor memory, difficulty in thinking, or decision-making that interferes with doing daily tasks, dementia does not refer to a particular disease, this is somehow an umbrella term for more specific illness connected to cognitive impairments. The most typical kind of dementia is Alzheimer’s illness, but that is a topic for another. Today, our focus sticks on Dementia.
Signs and Symptoms of Dementia (Based on the World Health Organization)
As once-healthy neurons in the brain stop functioning, lose connections with other brain cells, and eventually die, dementia signs and symptoms appear. While everyone loses some neurons as they become older, those who have dementia lose a lot more. But person is affected by dementia in a unique way, depending on the underlying reasons, coexisting medical issues, and cognitive performance prior to developing dementia. There are factors, signs, and symptoms that we could look unto to identify if we or our loved one is experiencing signs of dementia or just normal aging changes.
Let us also take note that there are different severities that these signs and symptoms may cluster into, let us break them down:
Early Stage of Dementia
Since that dementia’s onset is gradual, the early stages are frequently missed. Yet it is still better in a whole sense to be aware.
- forgetfulness
- losing track of the time
- becoming lost in familiar places.
If dementia is discovered in its early stages, there may be treatments available to lessen the rate of cognitive decline, depending on the cause.
Middle Stage
- becoming forgetful of recent events and people’s names
- becoming confused while at home
- having increasing difficulty with communication
- needing help with personal care
- experiencing behaviorchanges, including wandering and repeated questioning
Late stage
Inactivity and almost complete dependency are characteristics of the late stages of dementia. Physical manifestations of memory difficulties, which are significant, might include the following:
- becoming unaware of the time and place
- having difficulty recognizing relatives and friends
- having an increasing need for assisted self-care
- having difficulty walking
- experiencing behaviorchanges that may escalate and include aggression.
Did you know Dementia cannot presently be cured by any medication? Although many potential treatments are being researched in various phases of clinical trials, the anti-dementia medications and disease-modifying therapies developed to far have limited effectiveness. Dementia is still under the impression of an incurable disorder or disease. The progression of dementia may be slowed by medications, but dementia cannot be cured. These might aid in enhancing behavior, mood, or mental function.
Since Dementia is said to be “incurable” we might overthink and over worry but there are actually ways on how we can manage dementia and help lessen its symptoms.
- Even though there is no known treatment for dementia, medication may aid with behavior, mood, or mental function. Medication may help regulate the chemical imbalances that causes some of the cognitive factors to be weak in a dementia patient.
- Therapy and Counseling. Dementia is a condition that is not easy to deal with, especially to the person experiencing the disorder themselves. A person with dementia who is in the early stages of the condition should seek emotional support from family, friends, and maybe a counselor with dementia expertiseto make them feel that they are not alone and that they don’t have to face this condition alone.
Keep the individual autonomous and capable of handling daily life. One way to get this accessible to us especially when we are stuck with our career building and taking care of our love ones specifically our seniors is Adult Day Care Centers. For older people who need daytime supervision to keep them able and capable, adult day care is there aa structured schedule of activities offered in a professional care environment. Seniors who attend adult day care facilities can interact socially and take part in organized activities in a group environment while still receiving essential medical care. This can ensure the mobility and continuity of functionalities of the person experiencing dementia. We, here are Nixon Home Care provide the exact care for seniors who are experiencing the symptoms and manifestations of dementia.
Adult day care centers can offer a range of services and activities, such as:
- assistance with eating, using the restroom, taking medications, and/or walking
- counseling
- educational initiatives, or mental exercise
- Exercise routines
- monitoring of health (e.g., blood pressure, food or liquid intake)
- meal and snack preparation
- sociable interactions
- Therapy
If you are in a search for a good Adult Day Care Center contact us at 713-633-4700.
Memory issues alone do not indicate dementia. To be diagnosed with dementia, you must experience at least two different types of impairments that severely interfere with your daily life. Although it is good to be aware, we must also not be too reliant to ourselves and think that self diagnosis would be enough, always seek the help of an professional for a reliable and valid diagnosis. Seek help, seek what’s best for you and it will be provided for you. Till the next one!
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