UNDERSTANDING DEMENTIA - BEYOND NORMAL AGEING
Sometimes forgetfulness is nothing more than a natural part of ageing. However, if they start to struggle with everyday tasks, become confused in familiar places or suffer from sudden mood changes, families can often ask themselves ‘is this just old age?’.
Dementia can be a life-changing illness for both the individual and their family members. Knowledge of the brain will help you provide a patient, compassionate and respectful approach.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a group of symptoms caused by progressive damage to brain cells.
The brain is an intricate network of electricity. If specific sections of the brain become damaged, it can cause problems with learning new information, remembering older memories, communicating and controlling everyday movements.
Whilst Alzheimer’s is the most well-known cause of dementia (this accounts for 60-70% of cases), dementia can also include:
Vascular Dementia – Often develops after a stroke / reduction in blood supply to the cerebral vessels.
Lewy Body Dementia – Protein deposits in the brain which causes issues with alertness, sleep and movement.
Frontotemporal Dementia – Usually affects personality, social skills and speech early in life.
Normal Ageing vs Dementia
It is important to know the difference between typical age-related problems and early signs of dementia.
Remembering names: A person with typical age-related memory problems can’t think of a person's name but can later in the evening, whereas early signs of dementia involve forgetting the names of close family members or lifelong friends.
Misplacing items: Typical age-related changes mean someone sometimes loses car keys or reading glasses, while early signs of dementia lead to putting items in strange places around the house such as the iron inside the fridge.
Managing daily tasks: Needing to use a list to keep track of monthly bills is typical of age-related memory, whereas early dementia causes an inability to do simple maths or follow a known recipe.
Conversations and speech: Having trouble finding the right words sometimes during a conversation is typical with age,but early signs of dementia cause trouble continuing a sentence, repeating questions, or being unable to think of what to say.
Familiar locations: Kno
wing where they are and remaining independent locally is typical, while early signs of dementia involve getting lost or confused when walking somewhere familiar.
Early Warning Signs
Memory – Forgets things that have happened in the last hour but can remember detailed memories from childhood or 40 years ago.
Multitasking – Struggles with everyday tasks such as tying shoes, fastening a top or making a cup of tea.
Getting lost – Poor depth perception, trips over flat floors or confusion with shadows on the floor and shiny surfaces.
Changes in Behaviour – Becomes more withdrawn from family conversations, anxious in busy places, suspicious or becomes frustrated easily.
How to Create a Supportive Environment
Creating a supportive environment will help those with dementia. Below are some ideas:
Establish routine – Having a consistent morning routine, including washing, eating, going for a walk and resting will help.
Simple layout – Remove any loose rugs from the floor, secure any trailing wires and ensure hallways and bathrooms are well lit to avoid shadows.
Calm communication – Ensure eye contact. Use short and gentle sentences. Give them one instruction at a time.Don’t argue or try to challenge their memory. Acknowledge their feelings and gently distract them.
Maintain their dignity – Let them help with small tasks around the house such as folding a hand towel or wiping the dining table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dementia a natural part of ageing?
No. Whilst dementia can develop as we age, it is caused by changes to your brain. Many people can still have excellent cognition throughout their 80’s/90’s.
Can dementia be cured?
Most progressive dementias cannot be cured medically. However, early diagnosis, having a consistent routine, medication and rehab will help slow progression.
