What it feels like to have dementia in old age
Imagine waking up every day and not
remembering where you are, how you got there, or who the people around you are.
Your mind is foggy, and you struggle to make sense of your surroundings. This
is what it feels like to have dementia.
Having dementia in old age can be a
challenging and disorienting experience. It can leave a person feeling lost and
confused, with significant impacts on their memory, communication, mood, and
behavior.
Dementia is not
a specific disease, rather it is a group of conditions that are caused by
the impairment of at least two brain
functions, such as memory loss and judgement, to the extent that it interferes
with your day-to-day activities. When it comes to the treatment of dementia,
medication, and therapies may help manage symptoms, some causes are reversible,
whereas others are not.
there are not 1 but
several types of dementia
The most common types of dementia are:
This is the most common cause of
dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases. It is caused by specific
changes in the brain. The trademark symptom is trouble remembering recent
events, such as a conversation that occurred minutes or hours ago, while
difficulty remembering more distant memories occurs later in the disease. Other
concerns like difficulty with walking or talking or personality changes also
come later.
About 10 percent of dementia cases
are linked to strokes or other issues with blood flow to the brain. Diabetes,
high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are also risk factors in. Symptoms
vary depending on the area and size of the brain impacted. The disease
progresses in a stepwise fashion, meaning symptoms will suddenly get worse as
the individual gets more strokes or mini-strokes.
In addition to more typical symptoms
like memory loss, people with this form of dementia may have movement or
balance problems like stiffness or trembling. Many people also experience
changes in alertness including daytime sleepiness, confusion, or staring
spells. They may also have trouble sleeping at night or may experience visual
hallucinations (seeing people, objects, or shapes that are not actually there).
This type of dementia often leads to
changes in personality and behavior because of the part of the brain it
affects. People with this condition may embarrass themselves or behave
inappropriately. For instance, a previously cautious person may make offensive
comments and neglect responsibilities at home or work. There may also be
problems with language skills like speaking or understanding.
Sometimes more than one type of
dementia is present in the brain at the same time, especially in people aged 80
and older. For example, a person may have Alzheimer’s disease and vascular
dementia. It is not always obvious that a person has mixed dementia since the
symptoms of one type of dementia may be most prominent or may overlap with
symptoms of another type. Disease progression may be faster than with one kind
of dementia.
Majorly seniors with dementia may
have a reversible underlying cause such as side effects of medication,
increased pressure in the brain, vitamin deficiency, and thyroid hormone
imbalance. Medical providers should screen for reversible causes in patients
who are concerned for dementia.
While dementia is a common condition among older adults, it can be a challenging experience for those who have it.
In addition to memory loss, dementia
can affect a person's communication ability. In old age, they may struggle to
find the right words or have difficulty following conversations. This can be
frustrating for the person with dementia as well as their loved ones.
As the condition progresses, seniors with dementia may also experience changes in their mood and behavior. They may become more agitated or withdrawn, making it difficult for them to participate in social activities or enjoy the things they once loved and cherished.
Dementia care for seniors can be challenging for caregivers as well as family members,
to see their loved one struggling
with this condition. They may feel overwhelmed by the constant care that is
required or frustrated by the lack of progress despite their efforts. Most
importantly for the seniors themselves, as dementia progresses, they often tend
to lose their independence. They may struggle to carry out everyday tasks such
as dressing themselves, preparing meals, and managing their finances with their
age factor being an added concern. This can be a significant blow to their
sense of self-worth and identity and can lead to feelings of frustration,
anger, and despair.
Among other senior care in Chennai, Athulya Assisted Living - Dementia Care houses a team of supremely qualified doctors who are specially trained to handle and treat senior clients with dementia. Similarly, the caregivers, featuring highly skilled nurses and other staff are trained well enough to provide the finest care and comfort possible for the elderly.
Athulya offers abundant benefits for
senior clients that opt for its extensive dementia care. Choose Athulya and
embrace the best possible care through the following features:-
- Hosts favorite activities
- Well-planned personalized care
- Dementia-specialized nurses
- Constant medical assistance
- Immense love, care & attention
Having dementia in old age can be a challenging and disorienting experience. It can leave a person feeling lost and confused. However, with the right care and support, people with dementia can maintain their quality of life and continue to engage with the world around them.
At Athulya Assisted Living, our ultimate goal is to
ensure that our clients with dementia are safe and secure with us along with
our prime priority for ensuring that they have a satisfied and enriched quality
of life.
To know more, visit Athulya’s
official website at Athulya Assisted Living.
You can also contact Athulya via
E-mail. Reach out to the highly proactive team at enquiry@athulyaliving.com.
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