What Is The Second Most Common Type Of Dementia
Alzheimers disease is by far the most common type of dementia.
However, a few other types of dementia in the elderly that are also common include:
- Lewy Body syndrome
Individuals with Lewy Body dementia are also known to experience hallucinations and delusions.
What Signals Huntingtons Disease Onset?
Another common dementia is Huntingtons disease.
Huntingtons Disease dementia is genetic and is caused by a defective gene on Chromosome 23. Since its genetic, individuals with parents who have Huntingtons disease are also likely to have it.
Huntingtons disease onset is usually visible around the age of 30-50 but can happen earlier or later. Its symptoms are heavily related to uncontrollable body movements and changes in mood, like depression and anxiety.
Is Vascular Dementia Linked to Lewy Body Dementia and Alzheimers?
Experts have found that the vascular brain changes associated with vascular dementia coexist with Lewy Body dementia and Alzheimers.
With vascular dementia, blood flow is reduced in or blocked from certain areas of the brain, depriving brain cells of oxygen. This lack of oxygen leads to brain cell death and a decline in the affected individuals mental and physical condition.
Four Different Types Of Dementia
Think of dementia as a tree. Dementia is the tree trunk and the branches are the various forms of dementia that extend from the trunk, each with their own set of leaves, representing the signs and symptoms. Each branch is slightly different from one another, but they still belong to the same tree.
This guide will look at four different types of dementia: Alzheimers disease , Vascular Dementia , Lewy Body Dementia , and Frontotemporal Dementia . Youll notice that these types of dementia share similar symptoms, but there are differences in the number of cases, signs, and treatments for each.
What Causes Memory Loss
Dementia is not an illness, but a term that covers a variety of symptoms caused by changes in the brain. These symptoms include memory loss, confusion, and even movement issues.
If you notice a loved one experiencing memory loss, and this is their only symptom, its important to take them to the doctor for evaluation. It could be something as simple as a medication adjustment or vitamin deficiency that can be corrected.
However, it could also be an early sign of dementia. While occasionally forgetting where we placed our keys or having trouble finding the right word is human, if you notice a loved ones consistent forgetfulness or increasing confusion, it could be more.
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Dementia With Lewy Bodies
Dementia with Lewy Bodies is another common form of dementia. It is caused by a build up of proteins called Lewy Bodies in the body. Lewy Bodies are also what cause Parkinsons disease, which is why both illnesses share the symptoms of reduced mobility and a shuffling walk. DLB also causes significant mental decline associated with the other major types of dementia, including lapses in memory and forgetfulness.
Read more about Dementia with Lewy bodies, including symptoms and treatments, in our Guide to Lewy Body Dementia.
How Many Types Of Dementia Are There
There are many different names for dementia, depending on how the disease affects the brain.
So, what different types of dementia are there?
The 10 types of dementia that most commonly appear in elderly adults are:
However, some of these types of dementia in the elderly are more likely to appear in your loved one than others.
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Less Common Types Of Dementia
Though they are much more rare, there are other types of dementia. 5% of all dementia cases in the UK are caused by rarer forms of dementia. It is thought that most forms of rare dementia are under-diagnosed in part because people do not know to look out for them. Some rarer forms of dementia have very specific symptoms that differ from other types of dementia.
Below you can find out more about rare types of dementia:
How Many Subtypes Of Dementia Are There
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Simply so, how many types of dementia are there in total?
There are over 400 different types of dementia, the most common of which are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. There are over 400 different types of dementia. The most common types are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
Likewise, are there over 100 types of dementia? There are over 100 different types of dementia. All types of dementia are progressive, which means that the functioning of the brain will change over time. However, each type of dementia affects everyone differently and with the right support, it is absolutely possible to live well with dementia.
Subsequently, one may also ask, what are the 5 types of dementia?
There are five main types of dementia.
- Alzheimer’s Disease. Probably the most known and the most common dementia type, Alzheimer is a consequence of an abnormal shrinkage of the brain.
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies.
- Mixed Dementia.
What is dementia and its types?
The types of dementia include Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Other types include dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease. Senile dementia is a term that was once used to describe all dementias this term is no longer used as a diagnosis.
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Risk Factors And Prevention
Although age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia, it is not an inevitable consequence of biological ageing. Further, dementia does not exclusively affect older people young onset dementia accounts for up to 9% of cases. Studies show that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline and dementia by being physically active, not smoking, avoiding harmful use of alcohol, controlling their weight, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Additional risk factors include depression, social isolation, low educational attainment, cognitive inactivity and air pollution.
Help From The Ontario Government
Caring for someone with dementia can be difficult, but help is available. Each province in Canada offers different resources and programs for dementia patients and caregivers. Were going to look at the options available in Ontario, however if you live in a different province, similar options will likely be provided.
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Impact On Families And Carers
In 2019, informal carers spent on average 5 hours per day providing care for people living with dementia. This can be overwhelming . Physical, emotional and financial pressures can cause great stress to families and carers, and support is required from the health, social, financial and legal systems. Fifty percent of the global cost of dementia is attributed to informal care.
Disproportionate Impact On Women
Globally, dementia has a disproportionate impact on women. Sixty-five percent of total deaths due to dementia are women, and disability-adjusted life years due to dementia are roughly 60% higher in women than in men. Additionally, women provide the majority of informal care for people living with dementia, accounting for 70% of carer hours.
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How A Loving Memory Care Community Supports Loved Ones
After your loved one is diagnosed, you and your family should craft a care plan. If you have the resources to serve as a caregiver, you may choose to do that for as long as possible.
However, there are many physical, emotional, and financial considerations for caregivers. Part of your care plan may include moving your loved one to an assisted living community with memory care.
The Kensington Reston provides a full spectrum of clinical support for residents, including everything from more independent living to high acuity care for those in the late stages of dementia.
Our Promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own. With two memory care neighborhoods tailored to your loved ones unique needs, plus a wide range of activities and services, your loved one is sure to find a home with us. our team today to ask questions about our community and discover how we can provide the best care to your loved one with dementia.
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- Immediately
- Within 60 days
- No rush
- Is assistance needed due to a hospital or rehab stay, or as a result of dementia?
- Is assistance needed due to a hospital or rehab stay, or as a result of dementia?*
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- No, enhanced assistance not needed
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Other Causes Of Dementia
Just about any condition that causes damage to the brain or nerve cells can cause dementia. For example, people with Parkinsons disease will often exhibit dementia in the later stages of their illness. Huntingtons disease, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease and alcoholism can all lead to irreversible cognitive impairment.
Need Alzheimers Care?
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Different Types Of Dementia
Different Types of Dementia
A few decades ago, only a few medical specialists would have heard of Alzheimers disease. Senility was considered inevitable for anyone who lived long enough. But as understanding of the brain has grown, science has been able to identify and differentiate many causes of dementia. Alzheimers is the most common type of dementia, but other brain disorders can and do frequently cause dementia.
These types of dementia often present themselves with very similar symptoms. Even trained physicians may have a trouble determining for certain which type of dementia a patient has, and some people experience multiple types of dementia concurrently, which is called mixed dementia. That said, newly acquired knowledge and technologies are allowing doctors to diagnose and distinguish different types of dementias better than ever before.
Here are the four most prevalent forms of dementia.
Common Forms Of Dementia
There are many different forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form and may contribute to 60-70% of cases. Other major forms include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies , and a group of diseases that contribute to frontotemporal dementia . Dementia may also develop after a stroke or in the context of certain infections such as HIV, harmful use of alcohol, repetitive physical injuries to the brain or nutritional deficiencies. The boundaries between different forms of dementia are indistinct and mixed forms often co-exist.
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Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy/brain Injury
Initial symptoms: Symptoms of brain injury include loss of consciousness, memory loss, personality and behavior changes, and slow, slurred speech.
Progression: While symptoms from a single concussion are often temporary and resolve with appropriate treatment, chronic traumatic encephalopathy typically develops over time from repeated head injuries and is generally not reversible. Later symptoms include poor decision-making ability, aggression, impaired motor function and inability to communicate effectively.
Prognosis: Life expectancy varies according to the severity of injuries.
What Is The Most Common Form Of Dementia
The most common type of permanent dementia isAlzheimers disease, accounting for 60-80% of all dementia cases. Experts still arent sure what causes Alzheimers exactly, and theres also currently no cure.
With Alzheimers, changes in the brain begin by affecting a persons short-term memory. As a result, they have trouble remembering new information, like names and places. But like other forms of dementia, Alzheimers is a progressive disease, and its symptoms worsen over time.
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Stimulating Exercises For People With Dementia
Dementia is a progressive disease, meaning symptoms get worse over time. The progression of dementia is different for every individual for some people, it progresses rapidly, whereas for others, it may progress over the span of several years. However, research shows that cognitive stimulation helps reduce decline in cognitive function for individuals with mild to moderate dementia.
Here are 10 stimulating exercises for people with dementia:
1. Create a Memory Box
Since most forms of dementia affect an individuals memory, looking through a memory box with pictures of their loved ones and happy moments can be a great reminiscent activity. The memory box can consist of anything, not just pictures. It promotes engagement opportunities for patients living with dementia, as well as for their loved ones and caregivers.
2.Cook Simple Recipes
The process of cooking and baking requires motor skills, thinking, and short-term memory. Also, the smell or taste of their favourite childhood recipe allows the individual to have a reminiscent experience while cooking. Cooking healthy recipes helps improve general health, and is also beneficial for brain health.
3.Listen and Dance to Music
Similar to the memory box, listening to music that the individual enjoys can provide comfort and feelings of nostalgia. A bonus benefit of this activity is that it encourages dancing, a physical activity that helps keep you in healthy shape!
4 .Work on a Picture Puzzle
5. Household Chores
8. Read a Book
Dementia: What Are The Main Types
While ageing, the brain encounters significant modifications. For example, from the age of 60, it slowly starts to shrink. Heart diseases and head traumas can also have an important effect on the brain, sometimes causing dementia. A persons family history also influences the occurrence of this kind of syndrome.
Dementia is a significant sign of progressive neurodegeneration. This causes the death of some brain cells as well as tissue loss. The most frequently affected areas are the memory, the thinking, the behaviour and the ability to do some tasks for the sick person.
Continue below to learn what are the five different types of dementia.
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There Are Five Different Types Of Dementia
The Different Types Of Dementia In The Elderly
Dementia is the general term for memory loss that interferes with someones daily life. Elderly adults 65 years and older are at the highest risk for dementia, but there are cases of early-onset dementia at 30, 40, or 50.
To help you understand more about dementia, here are some common questions and facts about this memory loss disease.
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How Will A Doctor Diagnose My Loved One
If you notice a loved one showing symptoms of dementia, their doctor will perform a variety of tests to determine the cause.
First, the doctor will review your loved ones medical history and symptoms, and perform a physical exam. They also will likely ask family members to describe symptoms as well.
Blood tests can determine vitamin deficiencies or thyroid disease, so this is likely to be the next step.
If no nutritional issues or other disease is found, their doctor will run more tests, including:
- Cognitive and neurological tests to measure thinking skills, memory, reasoning, and language
- Brain scans, including CT, MRI, or PET scans to check for stroke, bleeding, tumors, patterns of brain activity, and abnormal protein deposits
- Psychiatric evaluation to determine whether a mental health condition is causing symptoms
Once their doctor determines the cause, they can recommend treatments.
While theres no cure for progressive forms of dementia, there are certain medications, supplements, therapies, exercises, and brain-healthy foods that can help manage symptoms and maintain quality of life.
Memory Loss Or Dementia
In short, dementia, whatever the type, is characterized by various symptoms like memory losses, learning difficulties, language troubles, confusion, mood and personality changes, bad decisions, difficulty in thinking, depression, loss of interest for some activities, etc. Thus, we cant only consider memory disorders to determine if a parent is affected by Alzheimers disease or another type of dementia. In fact, cognitive problems associated with memory may, sometimes, have another origin, like drugs interaction, drinking alcohol, depression, thyroid problems or a lack of vitamins.
If you think one of your parents suffers from Alzheimer of dementia, it is better to visit a doctor, specialized in geriatrics for example. Tell them about the behaviours and troubles that seem to touch the concerned person, in this way the doctor will be able to determine if it actually is dementia, and what type it is. Then they will direct you towards adapted treatments or approaches.
About Visavie Home Care Services
Since 1994, Visavie offers seniors in-home care services to preserve their autonomy and especially, continue to take advantage of the comfort of their home.
Besides, researches have shown that for a person with Alzheimers disease, remaining in a familiar surrounding helps manage the challenges related to memory loss.
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Top Five Early Signs Of Dementia
While symptoms will vary depending on the person and the cause of their dementia, watch for these five early symptoms in a loved one:
Since some causes of dementia, such as medication side effects, can be resolved, most types are progressive and incurable.
As a result, its important to get your loved one to the doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause and receive treatment.
Even if your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimers or Lewy body dementia, treatments are available to potentially preserve quality of life for as long as possible.