Dementia
Most causes of dementia are due to neurodegenerative diseases these include:
Alzheimer’s Disease
The pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) include atrophy of the cerebral cortex and formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. AD can co-exist with other forms of dementia such as vascular dementia.
The main risk factor for AD is increased age. As a population ages, the frequency of Alzheimer’s continues to increase. Ten percent of people over 65 years of age and 50% of those over 85 years of age have AD.
Problems of memory, particularly for recent events (short-term memory) are common in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. For example, the individual may, on repeated occasions, forget to turn off an iron or fail to recall which of the morning’s medicines were taken. Mild personality changes, such as less spontaneity, apathy, and a tendency to withdraw from social interactions, may occur early in the illness.
As the disease progresses, problems in abstract thinking and in other intellectual functions develop. The person may begin to have trouble with figures when working on bills, with understanding what is being read, or with organizing the day’s work. Further disturbances in behaviour and appearance may also be seen at this point, such as agitation, irritability, quarrelsomeness, and a diminishing ability to dress appropriately.
Warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
The Alzheimer’s Association has developed the following list of warning signs that include common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals who exhibit several of these symptoms should see a physician for a complete evaluation.
- Memory loss
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks
- Problems with language
- Disorientation to time and place
- Poor or decreased judgment
- Problems with abstract thinking
- Misplacing things
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Changes in personality
- Loss of initiative
It is normal for certain kinds of memory, such as the ability to remember lists of words, to decline with normal aging. In fact, normal individuals 50 years of age will recall only about 60% as many items on some kinds of memory tests as individuals 20 years of age. Furthermore, everyone forgets, and every 20 year old is well aware of multiple times he or she couldn’t think of an answer on a test that he or she once knew. Almost no 20 year old worries when he/she forgets something, that he/she has the ‘early stages of Alzheimer’s disease,’ whereas an individual 50 or 60 years of age with a few memory lapses may worry that they have the ‘early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.’
Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia. It occurs because of reduced blood supply to the brain.
Some people living vascular dementia have transient neurological symptoms, a history of gait abnormalities, and incontinence at the time of initial assessment.
Depression and delusions are common and “emotional incontinence” such as extensive mood lability can be found in advanced stages.
Parkinson’s disease (PD)
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative condition resulting from the loss of the dopamine-containing cells of the substantia nigra.
Parkinsonism is an umbrella term for the clinical syndrome involving bradykinesia and at least one of tremor, rigidity and/or postural instability.
Parkinson’s disease is the most common form of parkinsonism.
Other causes of parkinsonism include drug-induced, cerebrovascular disease, Lewy body dementia, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy.
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)
Dementia with Lewy Bodies has a similar presentation to AD, but features also include marked spontaneous fluctuations in cognitive abilities, visual hallucinations, and parkinsonism. Dementia with Lewy bodies is caused by clumps of protein forming inside brain cells. These abnormal deposits are called Lewy bodies. It is a progressive disease, meaning symptoms start slowly and worsen over time.
Frontal lobe dementia
Frontal lobe dementia is a form of dementia where damage to brain cells is more localised than in Alzheimer’s disease, usually beginning in the front part of the brain. Initially personality and behaviour are more likely to be affected than memory, but in the later stage’s symptoms are similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease.
Mild cognitive impairment
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a diagnosis given to people who are having problems with their memory (or cognitive impairments) that aren’t expected at their current age group. It is generally considered as a transitional stage that at some point may very well lead on to a type of dementia. For example, although MCI can present with a variety of symptoms, when memory loss is the predominant cognitive impairment, this is frequently seen as a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s disease in later years.
More information
For further information, please refer to Dementia UK and Alzheimer’s Society.
Our Philosophy
Our Care
Read more about all the types of care we offer in our care guide.
AgeCare Care Homes is founded on the belief that all residents are entitled to a rich quality of life, with the opportunity to live as independently as possible. We are committed to providing the best living experiences for all of our residents.
We are committed to providing on-going up to date training in all areas of dementia care to all members of the care home team. This ensures everyone is knowledgeable and confident in their approach and care delivery. We offer safe and supportive environments to encourage a person’s independence and enhance their self-esteem.
We care for residents living with dementia as individuals. We support our residents through the difficulties that dementia can present by offering personalised care, tailored to their individual needs. Our approach to dementia care respects the individuality of each resident rather than focusing on the diagnosis of dementia.
Good quality dementia care treats people with respect, dignity and encourages independence.
Dementia care at AgeCare Care Homes has some important benefits:
- 24-hour support from fully trained team members in dementia care
- The knowledge and trust that your loved one is in a safe place
- Social interaction, stimulation and activities
Our dementia units are decorated with sensory equipment on the walls and sensory items for residents to touch, feel and interact with
We encourage our residents with regular movement and interaction through gentle exercise to calming music and soft foam equipment to help sensory awareness
We carefully select entertainment provided by local musicians and performers to offer an array music, dance and culture.
Group activities and games such as bingo, roulette and others to provide social interaction and entertainment
Doll therapy, which we’ve found to be very effective in helping those with Dementia become more focused, raises their spirits and enhances their communication with others
We have carefully located life stations within the home encouraging residents to engage and reminisce. Encouraging cognitive stimulation and social interaction.
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