This article covers the definition of dementia, as well as its symptoms and causes.
Symptoms increase and usually get progressively worse as someone moves from the early stage to the late stage.
Early Stage Dementia
It’s common to overlook the symptoms of early-stage dementia.
10'000 Hours / Getty Images
However, a person with early-stage dementia is generally still able to function independently.
Middle Stage Dementia
Symptoms often become more apparent when dementia progresses into this stage.
A person may forget recent events or the names of people close to them.
They may become easily confused, have troublecommunicating, and repeatedly ask questions.
At this stage, a person may need help completing daily tasks, such as those involving personal hygiene.
They may experience changes in personality as well, perhaps becoming agitated more easily.
They may also havedifficulty sleeping.
Late Stage Dementia
Symptoms become the most severe during late-stage dementia.
People with late-stage dementia often require a full-time caretaker.
A doctor will ask about the severity and duration of symptoms.
Unfortunately, there is no single test to diagnose dementia.
There are also genetic tests available to measure someone’s risk of developing dementia.
It can take months for healthcare professionals to make an official diagnosis of dementia.
For this reason, it’s helpful if family members and loved ones continue to document signs and symptoms.
Causes of Dementia
Dementia is the result of damage to the brain cells.
Researchers are still learning what actually contributes to the damage to these cells.
Risk factors include:
Types of Dementia
There are many different types of dementia.
Reminiscence therapymay also help promote psychological well-being in people with dementia.
During reminiscence therapy, a therapist encourages a client to recall memories of their own life.
A reminiscence therapist may use videos, recordings, photos, and more to help a person remember.
Music therapyandart therapymayimprove the quality of lifeof someone with dementia.
Engaging in enjoyable activities, in general, can help to boost mood and be a useful outlet.
It’s worth noting, however, that most of these medications were specifically designed for Alzheimer’s disease.
Those with pre-existing health conditions such as respiratory disease or seizure disorders should use caution when taking these medications.
ARIA involves temporary swelling of the brain.
A caregiver should monitor a person’s physical and mental health when they take medication for dementia.
Antidepressants and Antipsychotics
Of dementia patients, 63% experience depression.
However, there are resources that can help.
It’s also important that you and/or their caregiver monitor their condition to keep them safe.
Diet and exercise can help support the physical and mental health of someone with dementia.
However, people with middle- to late-stage dementia should be monitored when engaging in physical activity.
Anything strenuous or unsafe should be avoided.
Be on the lookout for signs ofcaregiver burnout.
It’s OK if you choose not to be your loved one’s caregiver.
Talk to a doctor or social worker about potential caregiving alternatives.
Remember, you’re not alone.
A caregiver can help you develop systems and lifestyle changes that can make your daily life easier.
If you are a caregiver, there are resources that can help you cope as well to prevent burnout.
While there is no cure for dementia, there are treatment options that can greatly improve quality of life.
National Institutes of Health.What is dementia?
Symptoms, types, and diagnosis.
Alzheimer’s Society.The progression and stages of dementia.
Duong S, Patel T, Chang F.Dementia: What pharmacists need to know.Can Pharm J (Ott).
Alzheimer’s Association.What is dementia?
Harvard Health Publishing.Is it dementia or depression?
Alzheimer’s Association.Genetic testing.
Alzheimer’s Association.Is Alzheimer’s genetic?.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is dementia?
Breijyeh Z, Karaman R.Comprehensive review on Alzheimer’s disease: Causes and treatment.Molecules.
doi:10.1186/s13195-020-00753-9
National Institutes of Health.What is Lewy body dementia?
Causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Venkat P, Chopp M, Chen J.Models and mechanisms of vascular dementia.Exp Neurol.
2018;3(3):CD001120.
doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001120.pub3
Arvanitakis Z, Shah RC, Bennett DA.Diagnosis and management of dementia: Review.JAMA.
2019;322(16):1589-1599. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.4782
National Library of Medicine.Memantine.
Alzheimer’s Association.Aducanumab approved for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s Association.Caregiver stress.
Gerain P, Zech E.Informal caregiver burnout?
Development of a theoretical framework to understand the impact of caregiving.Front Psychol.
