What is Dementia?
Dementia is a disease that causes memory loss, confusion, and problem-solving difficulties. It affects thinking, language, judgment, and behavior. It's a progressive disease that gets worse over time. You can have dementia for years before you notice it.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging; it affects only about 1% of people over the age of 65. In fact, some studies suggest that dementia may be experienced by as many as 15% of people over age 80. While this number may seem alarming at first glance, it's important to remember that there are many other conditions that become more common with age—like diabetes or cancer—and these also have significant impacts on quality of life for seniors and their caregivers alike!
There are several types of dementia: Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of all cases; vascular dementia accounts for about 20%; Lewy body dementia accounts for about 5%; frontotemporal lobar degeneration accounts for about 3%. These are all different types because they cause different types of damage in different parts of the brain (and sometimes even different areas within those parts).
What are symptoms of Dementia?
Symptoms can vary depending on the type of dementia you have and where in your brain your symptoms are located. Here are some common symptoms: confusion or disorientation; trouble communicating; trouble remembering recent events or tasks; changes in personality; losing track of time or place. People with dementia might not be able to do things they used to do like paying bills or driving. They might not recognize their friends or family members anymore. Sometimes they can't remember their own name or where they live! They might also get confused about what day it is and how old they are. Or they might forget what year it is! And if someone else asks them a question, sometimes they'll answer without thinking about what was asked—or even make up an answer! This can be scary for both the person with dementia and their family members who know them well enough that something isn't quite right but aren't sure what exactly happened because it happened so slowly over time that no one noticed until one day.
How to care for a person with Dementia
Dementia is one of the most common conditions that older adults face. It can be very hard for both you and the person with dementia to know how to cope when symptoms begin to show. You may feel overwhelmed or even depressed yourself, but it's important to stay positive and keep your loved one engaged in social activities as much as possible.
Try not to argue with your loved one about their memories or beliefs; instead try taking their word for it when they say something that seems inaccurate. If necessary, ask them what they mean by what they're saying rather than trying to correct them if they tell an incorrect story or make a mistake in an account of events that happened 20 years ago!
Seniors living with dementia are often frustrated by the sense of being lost in their own homes, and they tend to wander away from the facility where they live. Even if they do not leave their rooms, they can still become confused and upset by the slightest change in routine.
The best way to care for someone who has dementia is to keep their environment as consistent as possible. Do not change furniture around or move doors or windows. If a resident becomes confused about where things are located, it is best to move them back as quickly as possible.
It is also important to make sure that your loved one gets plenty of exercise every day. Take walks outdoors together, or play games such as Bingo or checkers. Exercise helps reduce stress levels and keep the mind active and engaged in activities other than wandering around looking for something familiar that no longer exists in this world anymore."
