If your loved one has dementia, understanding the changes in behavior or cognitive function can be challenging. However, it’s important to remember that as troublesome as it may be for you, it’s also scary for them as they begin to realize the struggle. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help your loved one cope with symptoms as the condition progresses. For starters, it can be helpful to understand dementia. So, what is dementia?

What is Dementia?

As a general term often used to describe symptoms such as difficulty with thinking, memory, and communication, dementia is sometimes seen as a normal part of the aging process, but it’s not. Although dementia tends to increase with age, it’s not considered a normal part of aging but rather a disorder caused by abnormal changes in the brain.

What are the Different Types of Dementia?

Especially if you are a primary caretaker for a person with the condition, knowing the most common types and causes of dementia is helpful. Take a quick look at the following types, along with a brief explanation of each.

• Alzheimer’s disease: As the most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately 70 – 80% of cases. In Alzheimer’s disease, changes in the brain occur due to changes in proteins that create “plaques” or “tangles” in and between the brain cells. Suppose your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease. In that case, you may notice that they experience changes in their ability to find words, make decisions, recall short-term memories, or even clearly see a three-dimensional object.
• Vascular dementia: A common cause of vascular dementia is the blockage of major blood vessels in the brain that happens after a stroke. Sometimes these changes can take place suddenly right after a stroke. Other times, these changes may be milder but can gradually worsen as a result of multiple minor strokes or other conditions that affect the smaller blood vessels. It’s important to note that this damage to the smaller blood vessels can eventually lead to widespread damage, which may further impair your loved one’s cognitive function over time.
• Lewy body dementia: Occurring due to the development of unusual structures called Lewy bodies in the brain, Lewy body dementia can cause fluctuations in levels of alertness, difficulty judging distance, and even hallucinations. The changes in the brain involve a protein called alpha-synuclein and can also affect those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Sufferers may show signs of dementia even though Parkinson’s is commonly considered a movement disorder.
• Frontotemporal dementia: Typically caused by damage to the front and sides of the brain, Frontotemporal dementia occurs when brain cells die because of the development of clumps of protein inside the cells. If your loved one suffers from this type of dementia, you may notice that they struggle with communication, speech, and other behaviors depending on the affected part of the brain.
• Huntington’s disease: Although the primary symptom of Huntington’s disease, an inherited genetic condition, is uncontrolled movements of the body, the disease can also lead to dementia in some cases.
• Mixed dementia: If your loved one has been diagnosed with Mixed dementia, it likely means that they have changes in the brain due to more than one cause of dementia at the same time.

What are the Symptoms of Dementia?

Depending on the specific type of dementia affecting your loved one, there is a wide range of symptoms they may experience that include the following:

• Mood changes
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulty remembering things
• Changes in social awareness
• Confusion when in an unfamiliar environment
• Challenges with planning or carrying out tasks
• A reduced ability to understand or find their words
• An increase in or new development of obsessive tendencies
• Withdrawal, anxiety, or other personality and behavioral changes
• Confusion around managing money or when dealing with numbers
• Repeating themselves or asking the same question multiple times in a short period

Although the person with dementia may notice the changes in themselves and recognize early symptoms, often, the first to see signs of dementia are those close to the person suffering from the condition. As symptoms tend to become more severe over time, sufferers may struggle when learning to cope with changes to their cognitive abilities.

What Resources are Available?

Whether you’re noticing early signs of dementia in yourself or helping a loved one through the different stages of the condition, plenty of resources are available to help you on your way. In addition to several online resources provided by the World Health Organization and the Alliance for Aging Research, Companion Healthcare is a great place to go for answers to your questions or concerns.