Despite its prevalence, dementia is often misunderstood, leading to common misconceptions and questions about its causes, progression, and caregiving needs. Addressing these misconceptions is crucial in providing effective support and care for individuals and families affected by dementia.
Let’s explore some of the common questions about dementia to gain a better understanding of this condition and how to support those affected.
16 Frequently Asked Questions about Dementia
What is dementia?
Dementia is not a single illness but rather a wide term that refers to a decrease in cognitive ability severe enough to disrupt daily life. It affects memory, logic, language abilities, and the capacity to carry out normal daily tasks. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, causing 60 to 70% of cases, but there are several other forms, including vascular dementia, mixed dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.
What are the different types of dementia?
Understanding the different types of dementia is crucial for diagnosing and managing the condition effectively. Here are the most common types:
- Alzheimer’s Disease: The most common type of dementia, characterised by progressive memory loss, confusion, and changes in behaviour due to abnormal protein deposits in the brain.
- Vascular Dementia: Results from reduced blood flow to the brain, often following a stroke, leading to impaired judgement, decision-making, and motor skills.
- Lewy Body Dementia: Marked by the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain, causing fluctuations in cognitive function, visual hallucinations, and Parkinsonian symptoms like tremors and rigidity.
- Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD): Affects the frontal and temporal lobes, leading to significant changes in personality, behaviour, and language skills, often occurring in younger adults.
- Mixed Dementia: Involves a combination of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, presenting symptoms from both types, such as loss of memory and cognitive slowing.
- Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD): Develop in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, characterised by cognitive decline and motor symptoms like tremors, rigidity, and slow movement.
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD): A rare, rapidly progressing kind of dementia caused by infectious prions, leading to severe cognitive decline, coordination issues, and visual disturbances.
- Huntington’s Disease: A genetic disorder causing progressive brain damage, resulting in movement disorders, cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms, typically starting in middle age.
- Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome: Often linked to chronic alcohol abuse and severe vitamin B1 deficiency, it presents with severe memory problems, confusion, and coordination issues.
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH): Characterised by the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s ventricles, leading to difficulty walking, amnesia, and urinary incontinence, and is sometimes reversible with treatment.
What causes dementia?
Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells, leading to impaired cognitive function. The different causes of dementia include:
- Neurodegenerative Diseases: Conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease cause progressive brain cell damage.
- Vascular Conditions: Reduced blood flow to the brain from strokes or chronic high blood pressure can lead to vascular dementia.
- Protein Deposits: Abnormal proteins, such as Lewy bodies, can disrupt brain function, causing Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia.
- Brain Injuries: Repeated head injuries, as seen in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), can cause long-term cognitive problems.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of essential vitamins like B1, B6, B12, and folate can lead to cognitive decline and dementia-like symptoms.
At what age does dementia usually start?
Dementia can arise at any age, depending on the type. Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, the most frequent types, primarily affect the elderly. In most cases, symptoms appear beyond the age of 65, and the likelihood of acquiring dementia rises with age.
However, individuals under the age of 65 years can develop dementia as early as their 40s or 50s. Early-onset instances are uncommon, although they typically have a larger hereditary component.
Recent scientific findings have revealed insights into the timeline of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have discovered that changes in the brain associated with the disease can occur up to 20 years before the onset of symptoms.
What are the early signs of dementia?
Recognising the early signs or symptoms of dementia is crucial for early intervention and treatment. Some common early indicators include forgetfulness, difficulty finding words, challenges with problem-solving, confusion about time and place, mood swings, and a decline in social engagement. It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other factors, so a proper medical evaluation is necessary to confirm a dementia diagnosis.
Will I get Alzheimer’s if my parents have it?
Dementia can have both genetic and non-genetic factors. Some forms of dementia have a strong genetic component, while others are influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. For example, early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease and some cases of frontotemporal dementia have a clear genetic link.
However, the majority of dementia cases are not directly inherited and are considered sporadic or late-onset. In these cases, genetic factors may contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to onset dementia, but they do not guarantee its occurrence.
Which comes first, Alzheimer’s or dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a group of symptoms related to cognitive decline, including memory lapses, impaired thinking, and difficulty with daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent cause, is a specific type of dementia. Therefore, dementia is the broader condition, while Alzheimer’s disease is one of several specific conditions that can lead to dementia symptoms.
What are signs dementia is getting worse?
Dementia progresses gradually, often over several years. Here’s a general breakdown:
- Early Stage: Memory lapses increase, especially with recent events. Challenges with planning and problem-solving may begin. Minor personality changes may occur, but independence is generally maintained.
- Middle Stage: Memory loss worsens, affecting daily tasks like managing finances. Confusion and disorientation grow. Communication difficulties emerge, and assistance with daily activities becomes necessary. Behavioural changes become more evident.
- Late Stage: Severe memory decline, often struggling to recognise loved ones. Communication is severely limited. Complete dependence on others for daily tasks. Pronounced behavioural and personality changes occur.
Why do people with Alzheimer’s disease get angry?
People with Alzheimer’s may experience anger due to communication difficulties, loss of control, physical discomfort, environmental factors, and feelings of fear or anxiety associated with their condition. Understanding and addressing these triggers can help handle and reduce episodes of anger and agitation.
How is dementia diagnosed?
Dementia diagnosis involves several steps to accurately assess cognitive function and rule out other possible causes of symptoms. Healthcare providers begin with a thorough medical history review to understand symptoms and disease progression.
They conduct cognitive tests, such as memory and reasoning assessments, alongside a physical exam to evaluate neurological function. Laboratory tests, including blood tests, help rule out reversible causes like vitamin deficiencies or thyroid issues. Imaging scans like MRI or CT may also be used to detect brain changes associated with dementia.
Can dementia be treated if caught early?
Currently, dementia, including Alzheimer’s, currently has no known cure. Early identification and treatment, however, can help control symptoms, lower the chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease, and enhance quality of life. One may choose to receive treatment using medication, cognitive therapy, lifestyle modifications, and support services.
Can dementia lead to death?
Dementia itself isn’t directly fatal. Dementia can make it difficult for individuals to perform basic daily activities like eating, swallowing, and maintaining hygiene. This increased vulnerability can lead to complications like infections, pneumonia, or malnutrition, which can increase the risk factors of death. Additionally, dementia can lead to falls and injuries that contribute to health decline.
How do I make sure I don’t have dementia?
While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, you can reduce your risk and improve brain health by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular physical exercise, a healthy diet, staying mentally and socially active, managing chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, avoiding smoking, and moderating alcohol intake. Regular medical check-ups can also help detect warning signs.
Also read: Physical Activities for Aged People to Remain Happy and Healthy
What are the 5 R’s of dementia?
The “5 R’s of dementia” is a framework that provides guidance for supporting individuals with dementia. The 5 R’s often referred to in dementia care are:
- Reminiscence (using memories to connect).
- Routine (establishing regular schedules).
- Reassurance (providing comfort and security).
- Redirect (guiding away from distressing topics).
- Relaxation (promoting calmness and reducing stress).
How can dementia be managed?
Dementia can be controlled or reduce the risk of developing dementia by using a variety of ways adapted to individual needs. This includes drugs to treat symptoms, cognitive therapy to maintain cognitive function, support groups for emotional support, maintaining a safe environment at home, and carer education to improve the quality of life for both the dementia patient and their carers.
Also Read: 101 Things to do with Dementia Patients
What is the best way to support someone with dementia?
Living with or caring for people living with dementia can be a complex journey. Dementia is a gradual decline in cognitive function, and supporting older people with dementia involves communication, respect, routine, practical and emotional support. Seeking dementia care services is a good approach since it provides specialised care and assistance from experienced experts who understand dementia and the specific requirements to lower the risk of developing dementia.
At Wise Choice, through our dementia care service, we provide compassionate assistance, personalised care plans, cognitive stimulation activities, and 24/7 monitoring to ensure safety and comfort. Our trained staff also offer support for families, helping them navigate the challenges of dementia with expertise and empathy. Choosing professional dementia care ensures that your loved one receives the best possible care and support throughout their journey with dementia.
Take the first step towards ensuring comfort and quality of life for your loved one—reach out to us today.
