Dementia is an umbrella term to describe a wide range of progressive neurological conditions. Although most people experiencing dementia are older, sometimes younger people are affected too.
Dementia is a progressive condition which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. Over time, most functions of the brain will be affected. How quickly and in what way dementia progresses depends on each individual.
Even though everyone’s experience of dementia is different, common symptoms include loss of memory, loss of ability to recognize people or objects, loss of sense of direction, loss of ability to understand speech or to communicate with speech, loss of problem solving skills and loss of ability to learn how to carry out new tasks.
It is important to understand that loss of memory doesn’t necessarily mean loss of identity. Long term memories of early life, achievements, interests and relationships are in most cases reserved until late in the disease process.
Dementia affects people of all cultures, intellectual abilities and lifestyles. It is not a normal part of ageing, although the likelihood of getting dementia increases as a person ages.
As people age there are the expected changes in strength, stamina, endurance and physical robustness. We can also expect to see some subtle changes in cognition.
Confusion or forgetfulness may not mean you, a family member or someone you know has dementia.
Dementia occurs as the result of physical changes in the structure of the brain.
Subjective Memory Loss is experienced by most people as they age. In other words, normal age related memory loss
Nutrition and dementia, Personal care, Dental health, Falls, Sleep, Driving