{"id":8249,"date":"2024-02-27T12:44:29","date_gmt":"2024-02-27T17:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/6c3d125d92.nxcli.io\/baltimore\/what-is-dementia-everything-you-need-to-know\/"},"modified":"2024-02-27T12:44:29","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T17:44:29","slug":"what-is-dementia-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carepatrol.com\/baltimore\/what-is-dementia-everything-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Dementia? Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>By CarePatrol of Baltimore<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"C-11\">Have you noticed an aging loved one forgetting little things here or there? It\u2019s normal to get distracted sometimes, but if it\u2019s becoming a pattern, it could be a sign of dementia. Dementia is a general term for the decline in mental ability that interferes with daily life. It\u2019s usually progressive, worsening as time goes on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><em><strong><span class=\"C-11\">Dementia is not a specific disease, more so a wide range of symptoms associated with cognitive impairment. Because it can vary so widely in cause, onset, and development, family members may be unsure how to get help. Let&#8217;s talk about what dementia is, its major signs and symptoms, and how to find the best\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.carepatrol.com\/memory-care.html\">memory care services<\/a>\u00a0for older adults.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Dementia 101: A Guide for Family &amp; Friends<\/h2>\n<h3>The Basics: Dementia Defined<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">Dementia is a brain disorder. It is caused by damage to brain cells, which impacts their communication with each other. A dementia diagnosis requires that a person demonstrate at least two of the following symptoms that affect the brain:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Memory loss<\/li>\n<li>Issues with communication and language<\/li>\n<li>Loss of ability to focus<\/li>\n<li>Lack of reasoning and judgment<\/li>\n<li>Impaired visual perception<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>What is the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer&#8217;s Disease?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">You\u2019re probably familiar with Alzheimer\u2019s disease, which is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer&#8217;s accounts for about\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/dementia#:~:text=Alzheimer%20disease%20is%20the%20most%20common%20form%20and%20may%20contribute,frontal%20lobe%20of%20the%20brain).\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">60 to 80 percent<\/a>\u00a0of all dementia cases. People with Alzheimer&#8217;s accumulate abnormal protein deposits (amyloid plaques and tau tangles) in the brain. This leads to the death of brain cells and the gradual decline of cognitive function.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"C-11\">In the early stages of the disease, people may experience memory loss and confusion. As the disease progresses, you may notice other changes in the person, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Trouble with daily tasks, such as personal care<\/li>\n<li>Language problems<\/li>\n<li>Personality and behavior changes<\/li>\n<li>Getting lost or wandering<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">Early diagnosis from a trusted health care provider is key to maintaining a person&#8217;s quality of life throughout all stages of the disease. In the middle to late stages, a person is likely to require specialized dementia care services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">To learn more, explore this\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/carepatrol.com\/blog\/a-beginners-guide-to-alzheimers-disease-dementia\/\">beginner&#8217;s guide to Alzheimer&#8217;s disease<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>What is the Cause of Dementia?<\/h4>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">There are many causes, and while Alzheimer&#8217;s may be the most common and most well-known, it&#8217;s not the only one. We\u2019re still learning every day what causes Alzheimer\u2019s, but for other forms, we have a clearer understanding. There are several other forms and causes of dementia, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Vascular dementia:<\/strong>\u00a0Can occur after a stroke, when the brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lewy body dementia:<\/strong>\u00a0Characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies, which are abnormal clumps of proteins that accumulate in the brain. Doctors don\u2019t know why these develop.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Frontotemporal dementia:<\/strong>\u00a0Typically caused by damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain and characterized by changes in behavior, unusual behaviors, or emotional problems.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mixed dementia:<\/strong>\u00a0When a person shows symptoms of two different conditions, such as having symptoms of Alzheimer&#8217;s disease and vascular dementia. In these cases, there may be multiple causes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">In rare cases, some symptoms of dementia are reversible, such as those caused by thyroid issues and vitamin deficiencies. Many people will incorrectly call dementia \u201csenility,\u201d or say someone is going \u201csenile\u201d with old age. But it&#8217;s important to know that dementia is not a normal, inevitable part of aging, and these terms only harm those who develop dementia.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Identifying Early Signs<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">Take note if your loved one has begun having problems with:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Short-term memory, like forgetting to pay bills<\/li>\n<li>Having problems keeping track of items like their wallet or keys<\/li>\n<li>Planning or cooking meals<\/li>\n<li>Forgetting appointments (if this is unusual behavior for them)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">Most forms of dementia are progressive and will worsen with time, so don\u2019t ignore small indicators. It\u2019s always best to consult a doctor if you\u2019ve begun noticing signs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">There is always a chance that a treatable condition is behind the symptoms. Even if it\u2019s not, your loved one will benefit from earlier intervention and treatment, and you will have more time to plan together.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Making a Plan for Dementia Care<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, it\u2019s best to start thinking about what\u2019s next as soon as possible. Where they will live, if or when they will move, and who will help are good topics to start with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">You will also need to designate a Power of Attorney (guardian) if you have not done so already, since one day they may not be able to make informed decisions for themselves. To gain POA, you\u2019ll need to prove your loved one is incapacitated and your own ability to be a competent guardian.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">As you make plans, don\u2019t forget to include your loved ones in the conversation as much as possible and try not to get too frustrated by their confusion or resistance. It\u2019s overwhelming to not know if or when you can\u2019t take care of yourself. As with most difficult conversations, compassion and patience are always the best approaches.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Get Help Finding Care with CarePatrol<\/h2>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><span class=\"C-11\">With so many options for senior care out there, choosing the right one for your family isn&#8217;t always easy. At CarePatrol, our senior care advisors are here to help when things feel overwhelming. At no cost to you, your local CarePatrol advisor will assess your loved one&#8217;s needs and match you with recommended local memory care communities. They can accompany you on tours, help you narrow down your options, go over your budget, and so much more.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>CarePatrol: Your Local Partner in Memory Care<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Normal\"><em><span class=\"C-11\">Memory care is often the best option for people who are living with dementia. Each person\u2019s experience with the disease is unique, and your loved one deserves to find a care provider that can meet their needs and preferences. To get started exploring the best memory care and dementia care options near you,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carepatrol.com\/locations.html\">find your nearest CarePatrol<\/a>\u00a0today!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By CarePatrol of Baltimore Have you noticed an aging loved one forgetting little things here or there? It\u2019s normal to get distracted sometimes, but if it\u2019s becoming a pattern, it could be a sign of dementia. Dementia is a general term for the decline in mental ability that interferes with daily life. It\u2019s usually progressive,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":8250,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,51,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-caring-for-seniors","category-clinical-resources","category-owner-voices"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carepatrol.com\/baltimore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carepatrol.com\/baltimore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carepatrol.com\/baltimore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carepatrol.com\/baltimore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8249"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/carepatrol.com\/baltimore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8249\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carepatrol.com\/baltimore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8250"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carepatrol.com\/baltimore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carepatrol.com\/baltimore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carepatrol.com\/baltimore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}