What Is Dementia?
Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. According to the Alzheimer's Association, dementia describes a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities. While memory loss is common, it alone doesn't mean someone has dementia.
Many people confuse normal age-related forgetfulness with dementia. Occasionally forgetting where you put your keys or blanking on an acquaintance's name is normal. However, dementia involves memory loss and other symptoms significant enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities.
Key Facts About Dementia
- Dementia is not a normal part of aging—though the risk increases with age, many people live into their 90s without developing it
- More than 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, according to the World Health Organization
- Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases
- Dementia is progressive—symptoms gradually worsen over time
- Early diagnosis matters—it allows for better planning and access to treatments that may help manage symptoms
Common Types of Dementia
While Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, several other conditions can cause dementia symptoms. Understanding the differences helps families and caregivers provide appropriate support.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases according to the National Institute on Aging. It involves the buildup of proteins in the brain that damage and eventually destroy brain cells.
Early symptoms typically include:
- Difficulty remembering recent conversations or events
- Trouble finding the right words
- Misplacing items and being unable to retrace steps
- Difficulty with planning or problem-solving
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is the second most common type, caused by conditions that block or reduce blood flow to the brain. Strokes or other blood vessel problems can lead to vascular dementia.
Symptoms often include:
- Problems with planning, organizing, and decision-making
- Difficulty concentrating
- Slowed thinking
- Memory problems (though these may be less prominent than in Alzheimer's)
Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body dementia involves abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies that form in nerve cells. According to the National Institute on Aging, it shares symptoms with both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Distinctive symptoms include:
- Visual hallucinations
- Movement problems similar to Parkinson's
- Sleep disturbances
- Fluctuating attention and alertness
Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which control personality, behavior, and language. It often begins at a younger age than other types of dementia.
Symptoms may include:
- Dramatic personality changes
- Socially inappropriate behavior
- Language difficulties
- Movement problems
Mixed Dementia
Some people have brain changes from multiple types of dementia simultaneously. This is called mixed dementia and is more common than previously thought, especially in people over 80.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
The Alzheimer's Association identifies 10 warning signs that may indicate dementia. Recognizing these early allows families to seek medical evaluation and plan for future care needs.
10 Warning Signs of Dementia
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life—forgetting recently learned information, important dates, or asking the same questions repeatedly
- Challenges in planning or solving problems—difficulty following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks—trouble driving to a familiar location or remembering rules of a favorite game
- Confusion with time or place—losing track of dates, seasons, or the passage of time
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships—difficulty reading, judging distance, or determining color
- New problems with words in speaking or writing—trouble following or joining a conversation, or calling things by the wrong name
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps—putting items in unusual places and being unable to find them
- Decreased or poor judgment—giving large amounts of money to telemarketers or paying less attention to grooming
- Withdrawal from work or social activities—avoiding hobbies, social events, or work projects
- Changes in mood and personality—becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious
Important: If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, don't ignore them. Schedule an appointment with a doctor for a thorough evaluation.
How Dementia Progresses
Dementia typically progresses through stages, though the rate of progression varies significantly from person to person. Understanding these stages helps families prepare for changing care needs.
Early Stage (Mild Dementia)
In the early stage, a person may still function independently. They might:
- Have memory lapses, like forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects
- Experience difficulty with planning and organization
- Have trouble remembering names when introduced to new people
- Lose or misplace valuable objects
During this stage, the person may be aware of their difficulties, which can cause frustration or anxiety.
Middle Stage (Moderate Dementia)
The middle stage is typically the longest and can last many years. Care needs increase significantly. A person may:
- Forget events from their personal history
- Become confused about where they are or what day it is
- Need help choosing appropriate clothing
- Experience changes in sleep patterns
- Have personality and behavioral changes
- Begin to wander and get lost
Late Stage (Severe Dementia)
In the final stage, individuals require round-the-clock care. They may:
- Lose awareness of recent experiences and their surroundings
- Experience changes in physical abilities, including walking, sitting, and swallowing
- Have difficulty communicating
- Become vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia
Risk Factors and Prevention
While some risk factors for dementia cannot be changed, research suggests that healthy lifestyle choices may help reduce risk.
Risk Factors You Cannot Change
- Age: Risk increases significantly after age 65
- Family history: Having a parent or sibling with dementia increases risk
- Genetics: Certain genes are associated with higher risk
Risk Factors You May Be Able to Influence
According to the CDC, managing these factors may help reduce dementia risk:
- Cardiovascular health: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes can increase risk
- Physical activity: Regular exercise is associated with lower dementia risk
- Diet: A healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, may help protect brain health
- Social engagement: Staying socially connected may help maintain cognitive function
- Cognitive stimulation: Mental activities like reading, puzzles, and learning new skills may help
- Hearing loss: Treating hearing loss may help reduce cognitive decline risk
- Sleep: Getting quality sleep is important for brain health
Getting a Diagnosis
If you're concerned about memory problems, see a doctor. There's no single test for dementia. Doctors use several assessments to determine if dementia is present and identify the type.
The Diagnostic Process May Include:
- Medical history review: Discussing symptoms, family history, and current medications
- Physical examination: Checking for conditions that might cause symptoms
- Cognitive tests: Assessing memory, problem-solving, attention, and language skills
- Laboratory tests: Blood tests to rule out other conditions like thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies
- Brain imaging: CT, MRI, or PET scans to look for brain changes
Early diagnosis is important because it allows access to treatments that may help manage symptoms, time to plan for the future, and opportunity to participate in clinical trials.
Caring for Someone with Dementia
Caring for a loved one with dementia is both rewarding and challenging. With the right support and strategies, families can provide compassionate care while managing their own well-being.
Tips for Family Caregivers
- Learn about the disease: Understanding dementia helps you know what to expect and how to respond
- Establish routines: Consistent daily schedules provide comfort and reduce confusion
- Communicate simply: Use short sentences, speak slowly, and allow time for responses
- Focus on remaining abilities: Help your loved one do as much as they can independently
- Create a safe environment: Remove hazards, install safety devices, and consider a fall prevention assessment
- Take care of yourself: Caregiver burnout is real—seek support and take breaks through respite care
When to Seek Professional Help
Many families benefit from professional dementia care services. Consider professional support when:
- Care needs exceed what family members can safely provide
- Behavioral challenges become difficult to manage
- The person requires supervision most or all of the day
- Family caregivers are experiencing burnout or health problems
- Safety becomes a concern, such as wandering or falls
At Home Healers Dementia Care Services
At At Home Healers, our caregivers are trained in dementia-specific care techniques. With over 20 years of combined experience, we understand the unique challenges families face when caring for a loved one with memory loss.
Our specialized dementia care services include:
- Trained caregivers who understand dementia behaviors and communication techniques
- Assistance with daily activities while preserving dignity and independence
- Safety supervision and wandering prevention
- Medication reminders and appointment coordination
- Companionship and meaningful engagement activities
- Respite care to give family caregivers needed breaks
We serve families throughout Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana, including Auburn, Columbia City, Huntington, and surrounding communities.
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss how we can support your family.
