Does Memory Loss Mean Dementia Is Starting
One common misbelief about memory loss is that it always means you or a loved one has dementia. There are many causes of memory loss. Memory loss alone doesnt necessarily confirm a diagnosis of dementia.
Its also true that some memory changes are normal as a person ages . However, this type of memory loss isnt functionally disabling meaning, it doesnt interfere with daily life.
Dementia interferes with your ability to function. Dementia isnt forgetting where you left your keys. A person with dementia can have situations like forgetting what keys are used for. Dementia isnt a normal part of aging.
Four Common Types Of Dementia
The term dementia is an umbrella term used to describe the symptoms of cognitive impairment. And within the dementia umbrella, there are many different variations Alzheimers included. Most of us average folk dont realize that all dementia is not Alzheimers. In fact, I would venture to say that the regular layman isnt quite sure what the difference between Alzheimers and Dementia is. Dont fret Ill explain it here!
Learning the difference between the varying levels of memory loss can be crucial to know the dos and donts of dealing with behavior challenges. It will also come into play with understanding the levels of care that are available to fit your loved ones needs, so they can live more comfortably.
In this blog we will discuss the Top 4 most common types of Dementia. The good news for you is that at The Kensington, we are very experienced with these areas of Memory Care and more. We welcome everyone!
Yes, there are many, many more types of dementia that are known. There is dementia resulting from years of alcohol misuse. There is dementia associated with Parkinsons Disease. There is dementia that is a result of a traumatic brain injury. All in all, there are over 100 types of dementia being treated and researched today. An accurate diagnosis is critical to the treatment of someone with dementia, for obvious reasons.
The Four Main Types Of Dementia
There are four main types of dementia, and each can have different causes and severities.
The general types of dementia include:
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Vascular dementia
The caregiving and treatment of your loved ones will depend greatly on the form of dementia.
Even if there arent any current indications of dementia in a resident, its beneficial to have trained staff on-site who can recognize the early warning signs of onset dementia.
So that even if your loved one has not shown any signs of the condition, it still may be beneficial to consider an assisted living community.
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The Kensington Reston Promise
We understand that a loved ones dementia can be hard on the whole family and understanding the condition is only the first step in care.
The Kensington Restons Promise is to care for your family as much as you do.
Our music therapy program and life enrichment Pocket Programming can help make a difference with those suffering from dementia-related challenges.
Contact us today, and lets discuss how our programs can help your loved ones care and quality of life.
The Different Types Of Dementia
The term dementia describes a collection of symptoms, rather than a disease.
These symptoms can include memory loss, difficulties with language, or problem solving, and are a result of damage to the brain caused by conditions like Alzheimers disease, or a stroke.
There are many different types of dementia, depending on what has caused the damage and what symptoms have arisen as a result. Different research studies may therefore look specifically at different types of dementia.
We will look at some of the most common dementia types below.
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Can Dementia Be Prevented
Although dementia cant be prevented, living a health-focused life might reduce risk factors for certain types of dementia.
Keeping blood vessels clear of cholesterol buildup, maintaining normal blood pressure, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, staying at a healthy weight basically, staying as healthy as you can can keep your brain fueled with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function at its highest possible level. Specific healthful steps you can take include:
- Follow a Mediterranean diet, which is one filled with whole grains, vegetables, fruits, fish and shellfish, nuts, beans, olive oil and only limited amounts of red meats.
- Exercise. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
- Keep your brain engaged. Solve puzzles, play word games and try other mentally stimulating activities. These activities may delay the start of dementia.
- Stay socially active. Interact with people, discuss current events, and keep your mind, heart and soul engaged.
What Can I Expect If I Have Dementia
Getting a diagnosis of dementia is certainly difficult to hear. Several types of dementia arent reversible. Others are a side effect of other serious diseases. Some dementia-like symptoms are due to conditions that can be treated and reversed.
Your healthcare team, which will probably include a neurologist and/or a geriatric-psychiatrist or a geriatrician, will order the needed tests to make the correct diagnosis. The medications available today focus on slowing the decline.
The goal is to maintain your or your loved ones quality of life. Some people with Alzheimers dementia can live up to two decades, but each person has their own unique course. Researchers continue learning about the mechanisms that cause dementia and testing different methods to slow, and someday, hopefully, cure this disease.
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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 providethe majority of informal care for people living with dementia, accounting for 70% of carer hours.
How Is Dementia Diagnosed
Confirming a diagnosis of dementia can be difficult. Many diseases and conditions can cause or lead to dementia. In addition, many of its symptoms are common to many other illnesses.
Your healthcare provider will:
- Ask about the course of your symptoms.
- Ask about your medical history.
- Review your current medications.
- Ask about your family history of disease including dementia.
They may also order tests, including laboratory tests, imaging tests and neurocognitive tests .
Neurologists and geriatricians may assist in making the diagnosis of dementia.
Laboratory tests
Laboratory tests rule out other diseases and conditions as the cause of dementia, such as infection, inflammation, underactive thyroid and vitamin deficiency .
Sometimes, healthcare providers order cerebrospinal fluid tests to evaluate autoimmune conditions and neurodegenerative diseases, if warranted.
Imaging tests
Your healthcare provider may order the following imaging tests of your brain:
Neurocognitive testing
During neurocognitive testing, your healthcare provider uses written and computerized tests to evaluate your mental abilities, including:
- Problem solving.
Psychiatric evaluation
A mental health professional may check for signs of depression, mood changes or other mental health issues that might cause memory loss.
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What Are The Early Warning Signs Of Dementia To Watch For
Now that you know the four common types of dementia, there are 10 early symptoms you should watch for if you begin to notice changes in your loved one. Noticing memory problems in your loved one doesnt immediately mean its dementia.
There needs to be at least two types of impairment that are significantly impacting the person: memory loss plus difficulty with communication, language, focus, or reasoning.
Here are 10 early symptoms of dementia to watch for:
If your loved one is beginning to experience these symptoms, talk to their doctor to rule out any other factors and get a proper diagnosis. An early diagnosis and treatment can be beneficial, so dont delay in getting help.
What Are The Stages Of Dementia
The stages of dementia vary from person to person and the type of dementia. Keeping the four common types of dementia in mind, these seven stages are the usual progression that is experienced:
- No symptoms yet, but tests might reveal a problem
- Very mild changes in behavior, but independence remains
- Mild decline is noticeable, including changes in thinking, forgetting events, and repeating statements
- Moderate decline, meaning trouble remembering recent events and handling money
- A moderate to severe decline where they forget names, are unsure what time of day it is, and need some assistance with basic daily tasks
- Their decline is severe they are forgetting their spouses name, their personality is changing, and they need help eating and going to the bathroom
- Very severe decline, where they are unable to walk, can no longer speak their thoughts, and spend most time in bed
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What Is Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body dementia is a type of dementia. LBD occurs when certain proteins group together inside brain cells. These protein deposits are known as Lewy bodies.
They typically form in the parts of the brain which control thinking, vision, and muscle movement. This causes disruption and affects the ability of these parts of the brain to function.
This protein build-up also happens with Parkinsons disease, and Lewy body dementia is sometimes misdiagnosed as this.
Both illnesses are caused by the build-up of Lewy bodies, and both illnesses lead to disrupted mobility. The key difference is that people with Parkinson’s disease do not show as much cognitive decline, but people with LBD do.
Are There Different Types Of Dementia
Dementias can be divided into three groups:
- Reversible dementia-like symptoms caused by other illnesses or causes.
Primary dementia
Types of primary dementia include:
Dementia due to other diseases and conditions
Other causes of dementia include:
Dementias due to reversible causes
Some conditions can cause dementia-like symptoms that can be reversed with treatment, including:
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Diagnosis For These Four Types Of Dementia
Symptoms can be similar among different types of dementia, and some people have more than one form of dementia, which can make an accurate diagnosis difficult. Symptoms can also vary from person to person. Doctors may ask for a medical history, complete a physical exam, and order neurological and laboratory tests to help diagnose dementia.
The Risk Factors To Developing Dementia
Many factors may contribute to dementia, and some factorssuch as age and family historycant be changed.
But as many people discovered during the pandemic, there are things you can do to reduce unnecessary risks to your health.
For example, common causes of dementia can be lessened with improvements in diet and exercise, reducing alcohol use, stopping smoking, and addressing late-stage depression issues or any sleeping hindrances.
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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.
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.
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Skilled And Passionate Professionals Make A Difference
Another factor that can improve the quality of life for residents is the presence of skilled professionals in a memory care team.
Meaghan, for example, is one of our most dedicated staff members who will be graduating this year with a Masters in Healthcare Administration. She has also achieved several certifications including:
- Certified Dementia Practitioner
- Certified Alzheimers Disease Dementia Care Trainer
- Senior Fitness Specialist
- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
- Positive Approach to Care Trainer and Consultant
She puts it best: My passion for seniors continues to grow as I pass on my training to our care team. The Positive Approach to Care method is followed by team members across all of our communities, allowing us to provide the most comprehensive and compassionate care to those with memory loss.
Stage : Mild Cognitive Impairment
Clear cognitive problems begin to manifest in stage 3. A few signs of stage 3 dementia include:
- Getting lost easily
- Noticeably poor performance at work
- Forgetting the names of family members and close friends
- Difficulty retaining information read in a book or passage
- Losing or misplacing important objects
- Difficulty concentrating
Patients often start to experience mild to moderate anxiety as these symptoms increasingly interfere with day to day life. Patients who may be in this stage of dementia are encouraged to have a clinical interview with a clinician for proper diagnosis.
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Why It’s Important To Get A Diagnosis
Although there is no cure for dementia at the moment, an early diagnosis means its progress can be slowed down in some cases, so the person may be able to maintain their mental function for longer.
A diagnosis helps people with dementia get the right treatment and support. It can also help them, and the people close to them, to prepare for the future.
Read more about how dementia is diagnosed.
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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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.
How Is Frontotemporal Dementia Diagnosed
There is no straightforward way to diagnose frontotemporal dementia. A doctor or specialist may make an assessment of mental abilities over a period of time, in order to make a comparison. MRI, CT or PET scans can help identify which parts of the brain are affected, and to rule out any other issues with the brain.
Blood tests or a lumbar puncture might be required to rule out conditions which have similar symptoms.
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What Happens To A Persons Brain And Body As Dementia Gets Worse
Unfortunately, many types of dementia are conditions that worsen over time. When your brain doesnt get the nutrients and oxygen it needs, or junk blocks needed communication between the nerve cells of the brain, your brain tissue begins to die.
Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia usually begin with memory loss or lapses in judgment things that can be lived with for a while. As you lose more and more brain function, functions vital to life begin to be affected. Vital functions include breathing, digestion, heart rate and sleep.
In the late stages of dementia, people cant perform the tasks needed to keep their bodies alive. Brain damage and muscle weakness no longer allow even simple, needed movements. You cant communicate, walk, talk, control your bladder or bowels, feed yourself, or chew or swallow food without help.
When you cant care for yourself, move about, eat or drink enough to keep yourself hydrated and nourished, plus have mental decline, you leave yourself vulnerable to other illnesses. Pneumonia is one of these commonly seen illnesses in people with dementia. With a now frail body, a person may not be able to fight infections or even benefit from medication. The persons pain and discomfort may outweigh treatment options that can only offer a short-term benefit.
What To Do If A Loved One Is Suspicious Of Having Dementia
- Discuss with loved one. Talk about seeing a medical provider about the observed changes soon. Talk about the issue of driving and always carrying an ID.
- Medical assessment. Be with a provider that you are comfortable with. Ask about the Medicare Annual Wellness exam.
- Family Meeting. Start planning, and gather documents like the Health Care Directive, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Estate Plan.
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