About Dementia | Aging (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest way to explain dementia? ›

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person's daily life and activities. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change.

At that time, we suggest the 4Rs: reassure, reconsider, redirect, and relax. We want to reassure our loved one that everything is all right. We want to reconsider the situation from their point of view. We want to redirect them to activities that they enjoy and are calming.

The short answer is that it will depend on the stage of dementia that the person is in. For example, a stage one or mild dementia with a little bit of forgetfulness can be lived with. However, more severe stage four dementia means that support from outsiders and family members will be required.

SPECAL sense begins with three Golden Rules: Don't ask direct questions. Listen to the expert – the person with dementia – and learn from them. Don't contradict.

Consider this: Music has been shown to help people with dementia feel calmer, improve their mood, create social connections, and slow the decline of cognitive function. Keep a journal tracking daily activities and exercising memory recall. Create a box filled with photos and memory-filled objects.

In the earlier stages, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of — and frustrated by — the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. In the later stages, memory loss becomes far more severe.

Pain or Discomfort: General pain, side effects from medications, lack of sleep, and inability to describe their discomfort are all common symptoms that can trigger aggressive behavior or lashing out. Environment: This is the most common trigger for aggressive behavior in dementia patients.

other long-term health problems – dementia tends to progress more quickly if the person is living with other conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, particularly if these are not well-managed.

Finally, they were surveyed on their adherence to six lifestyle factors which had previously been identified to support brain health: physical exercise, social interaction, leisure activities, sleep quality, smoking status and alcohol consumption.

The person with dementia may become more demanding, restless, upset, suspicious, disoriented and even see, hear or believe things that aren't real, especially at night. Attention span and concentration can become even more limited.

What is the second most common behavior associated with dementia? ›

2. Wandering. Six out of 10 people living with dementia wander at least once, according to the Alzheimer's Association. For some, the urge to wander often occurs later in the day because of sundowning.

People with dementia are better off in familiar surroundings with loved ones, and where memories and pets are. Absence from these places, people and things can make the patient feel down, restless, depressed, anxious and this can result in their exhibiting difficult behaviours.

When a person is diagnosed with dementia they may not understand or accept their diagnosis. They may also have limited or no awareness of their symptoms and the difficulties they are having, even when these are obvious to those around them.

It's possible that someone with dementia can slip into another time from their past, and become worried about events that are no longer happening. Or, they may become suspicious and fearful of people they don't recognise.

Treating high blood pressure with medication and healthy lifestyle changes, such as exercising and quitting smoking, may help reduce the risk of dementia.

Respect the person's personal space. Build quiet times into the day, along with activities. Keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure. Remind the person who you are if he or she doesn't remember, but try not to say, “Don't you remember?”