Compassionate Care Starts by Recognizing Signs of Dementia
Dementia, however, is not a normal part of aging. If you’re concerned that you or a loved one may have dementia, it’s important to understand what dementia actually is, the symptoms and how to distinguish those signs from normal aging. While there are no cures for dementia you can also learn ways to reduce the risk of developing the condition.
Dementia is Common – And Complex
Approximately 7.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with dementia in 2023. The Centers for Disease Control projects that 14 million Americans aged 65 and older will have dementia in 2060. While dementia is often considered an “older person” issue, even people between 30 and 60 years old can develop young-onset Alzheimer's.
Dementia is not a disease by itself. It’s an umbrella term for a variety of illnesses that impair an aging person’s cognitive and physical abilities. Each type can have different causative factors, disease courses, symptoms and outcomes.
Five Most Common Types of Dementia
The Dementia Society of America has documented more than 25 different conditions and syndromes that can cause symptoms of dementia, with the five most common being:
Signs of Dementia
What’s normal…What isn’t
Dementia manifests differently in different people; no two patients are exactly alike. Here are some common early warning signs of dementia to look for.
- Memory loss, especially when trying to recall recent events or how to do everyday tasks
- Problems with language and communication, including forgetting words or asking the same questions repeatedly
- Disorientation and getting lost in familiar places
- Poor self-care, including lapses in hygiene, eating and dressing
- Misplacing things and putting items in odd places
- Emotional changes and withdrawal
While memory loss is commonly associated with dementia, a person with dementia may have troubling mood swings, changes in gait and falls, hallucinations, delusions and paranoia.
The stages of dementia progress from mild to severe. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may initially have mild cognitive impairment but develop severe symptoms in the final stage of the disease, such as an inability to speak or control bodily functions.
Reducing the Impact of Dementia
Get help early and pursue healthy habits.
There are many promising treatments to help slow the development of dementia and the associated diseases. However, it’s imperative to get help early and take steps to slow the progression. Healthy habits like physical activity and a well-rounded diet will help your body fight disease, both dementia and other chronic conditions. These approaches appear to be working as the proportion of adults ages 70 and older with dementia declined from 13% in 2011 to 10% in 2019.
In-Home Care for Seniors with Dementia
Our care managers specialize in conducting cognitive and functional assessments to understand each individual's unique needs. We then match our extensively trained caregivers to the specific abilities and challenges of the person with dementia.
Daily care plans are customized around the individual's interests, capabilities and changing needs to promote engagement and quality of life. We also provide caregiver education and emotional support for family members throughout the dementia journey.
If you are looking for an Atlanta, Georgia-based home health agency that thoroughly understands how to provide in-home elder care, companion care and personal care for seniors coping with dementia, Kadan Homecare would be honored to work with you.
Home Care Assistance from Our Family to Yours
We know that every family is unique. Tell us about your circumstances and we’ll help you devise a plan that fits seamlessly into your senior’s life.
During your complimentary in-home consultation, our registered nurse will sensitively ask questions that enable us to personalize a program and carefully match a caregiver to your loved one’s needs. If you have questions or feel overwhelmed by the decision process, we are happy to use our knowledge and experience to make recommendations and assist you in any way we can. For more information or to talk with our team call 770-396-8997 or email info@kadan.org.