Dementia in the elderly
Understanding and Managing Dementia:
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. Dementia symptoms trigger a decline in thinking skills, also known as cognitive abilities, severe enough to impair daily life and independent function. They also affect behavior, feelings and relationship.
Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as “senility” or “senile dementia,” which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
Signs of dementia can be problems with:
Short-term memory ,Keeping track of a purse or wallet , Paying bills , Planning and preparing meals , Remembering appointments , Traveling out of the neighborhood.
Problems communicating or finding words.
getting lost while driving. Problems with reasoning or problem-solving.
Trouble with planning and organizing.
Poor coordination and control of movements.
Confusion and disorientation.
Depression, Anxiety, Agitation,Inappropriate behavior.
Being suspicious, known as paranoia.
Seeing things that aren’t there, known as hallucinations
Dementia symptoms are progressive, which means that the signs of cognitive impairment start out slowly and gradually get worse over time, leading to dementia. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don’t ignore them .
Is dementi a part of normal aging or its different from senile Dementia?
Dementia is often incorrectly referred to as “senility” or “senile dementia,” which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging
many older adults live their entire lives without developing dementia.
Normal aging may include weakening muscles and bones, stiffening of arteries and vessels, and some age-related memory changes that may show as (Senile Dementia ):
- Occasionally misplacing car keys
- Struggling to find a word but remembering it later
- Forgetting the name of an acquaintance
- Forgetting the most recent events
Normally, knowledge and experiences built over years, old memories, and language would stay intact.
Pathophysiology
Dementia is caused by a variety of diseases that cause damage to brain cells.
This damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behavior and feelings can be affected.
The brain has many distinct regions, each of which is responsible for different functions (for example, memory, judgment ) When cells in a particular region are damaged, that region cannot carry out its functions normally.
In Alzheimer’s disease, high levels of certain proteins inside and outside brain cells make it hard for communicate with other brain cells . The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory , and this part is damaged first, and for this reason memory loss is the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
How can we diagnose Alzheimer early ?
There is no one test for Alzheimer but Doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and MRI .
How is dementia treated?
depends on the underlying cause, But
Leading a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, healthy eating, and maintaining social contacts, decreases chances of developing chronic diseases and may reduce number of people with dementia.
What we must do if our loved one has dementia symptoms ?
Discuss with loved one. Talk with medical Doctor .
Talk about the issue of driving and always carrying an ID.
For Medical assessment , Be with a provideder that he is comfortable with.
What helps people with Alzheimer?
Respect the person’s personal space
Build quiet times , along with activities. Keep well-loved photographs in the house
Remind the person who you are but not to say, “Don’t you remember?
Tips for Everyday Care for People With Dementia
people with Dementia and Alzheimer diseases will need more help with simple, everyday tasks. This may include bathing, grooming, and dressing.
Green Life Health & Home care has some programs : we help to keep a routine, such as bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time each day.
Our kind team Help the person with Dementia , write down to-do lists, appointments in a calendar.
Green Life Plan activities that the person enjoys
We Consider reminders for their medication and Medical Appointment .
Green Life Prepare food and Serve meals in a familiar place and give the person enough time to eat.
Green Life Plans Gentle Exercise Routines for them
Green Life Team make the house safe for Dementia with Use a shower chair to support a person who is unsteady and to prevent falls. If their home has stairs, we plan for at least one handrail. Put safety grip strips on stairs,
Insert safety plugs into unused electrical outlets , we clear away unused items and remove small rugs, electrical cords, and other items the person may trip over.
We plan that all rooms and outdoor areas that the person visits have good lighting.
Green Life help you about Learning your loved one’s disease , we will help you know what to expect as the dementia progresses and what you can do.
Connect with Green Life online community.
