Young female volunteer is caring for an elderly person with dementia. Senior person leans on a cane, and a young social worker supports and helps him. Flat style vector illustration
Dementia is a disease that affects the brain and nervous system. It’s caused by a number of different things, including brain injury, tumors or infections in the brain, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), vascular dementia (VaD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease. Dementia is also referred to as “senile dementia” or “old age forgetfulness,” because it develops gradually over time. People with dementia may have trouble remembering things they learned decades ago, like how to drive or walk across rooms. They may become confused easily and unable to recognize friends and family members.
Types of dementia
There are many types of dementia. Some people with dementia may have symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s disease, while others have other dementias that cause memory problems and other cognitive issues.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and is characterized by progressive loss of memory, language skills and other mental functions over time. It affects more than 5 million Americans over age 65 each year. AD can affect anyone at any age but it often occurs in older adults who have already experienced some form of brain injury or illness before the onset of the disease itself.[1]
Vascular dementia (VaD) occurs when damage occurs to blood vessels supplying brain tissue due to atherosclerosis or another medical condition such as hypertension.[2] The most common vascular causes include stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), which leads directly into VaD.[3] Another vascular cause includes heart attack/cardiac arrest which also qualifies someone for VaD if they suffer from major vessel damage that leaves them unable to function normally without medical treatment.[4][5]
Symptoms of dementia
Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms that affect people’s ability to think and reason. The most common types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, which affects memory; vascular dementia, caused by blockage or damage to the brain’s blood vessels; multi-infarct dementia (MID), caused by multiple strokes; Lewy body dementia (LBD), found in patients who have Parkinson’s disease; frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), which causes problems with language and abstract thinking.
Dementia can also be caused by other medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s chorea and Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
Medications and treatments for dementia
You may be wondering what medications and treatments for dementia are available. Dementia is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory and thinking skills, causing difficulty with language, judgment and behavior. Medications can help manage the symptoms of dementia such as confusion or agitation.
If you suspect your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), there are many different types of care available in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. In this section we’ll explore the difference between these two types:
- Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) provide longer-term care intended for individuals who need assistance but have decided not to move into full-time care facilities yet; they’re typically located near family members’ houses so they can be easily visited regularly by family members without having to travel far from home each day–this also means less cost per month since it’s not necessary for an ALF resident stay at least 24 hours per day!
What is a nursing home?
Nursing homes provide long-term care to Elderly care. They are staffed with nurses, health aides and other healthcare professionals to provide a variety of services to residents. Nursing homes are licensed by the state and inspected annually on behalf of their residents by the state agency that licenses nursing homes (e.g., California Department of Public Health).
Who needs a nursing home?
You may need to consider a nursing home for Demensia care if the following are true:
- The person is no longer able to live independently.
- The person needs 24/7 care.
- The person is a danger to themselves or others.
An example of a nursing home would be where you live, but not all homes are created equal—some are better than others! When choosing where you want your loved one cared for, take into account which features matter most to you and your family members (elderly neighbors? cost?) and make sure those details are reflected in any contract that might be offered by the facility itself or its management company.”
How does assisted living fit in?
Assisted living is a step up from assisted living. It’s not quite as fancy, but it does mean that you’ll have more independence and freedom than you would in an assisted-living facility.
Assisted living is better for people who can still live on their own and want to keep their home environment as close to what they had before they got older. This may include things like having help with daily tasks such as dressing or bathing, or even personal care assistance like feeding yourself or grooming yourself.
Assisted living also offers other benefits: You’ll be able to choose your own doctor, which will save money over time; you’ll have fewer restrictions when it comes to activities; and there are no medical staff around 24/7 who can observe everything happening inside your home while providing constant encouragement throughout the day (or night).
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, dementia affects everyone differently. But if you are concerned about your loved one being cared for in a nursing home or other care setting, contact us today. We can help answer any questions you may have about what options are available and how to make the best decision for your family.
