Dementia is a disease of the brain that negatively effects brain functions regarding memory, behaviour and the ability to complete, previously mastered, everyday tasks. The good news is that with a diagnosis, there’s now plenty you can do to continue to live a full and rewarding life with dementia. More of that later..
There are many different types of dementia, the most common are:
Alzheimers
Here the most obvious symptoms are loss of memory, difficulty in recalling the right words, delays in problem solving and decision making as well as reduced vision and perception.
Vascular Dementia
Symptoms most frequently occur following a stroke or series of mini strokes, when damage has occurred to blood vessels in the brain. Symptoms are similar to Alzheimers with the addition of pronounced difficulties in concentration allied to general confusion.
Early Onset Dementia
This mostly occurs to younger people in their 40’s – 60’s and is often missed and difficult to diagnose as medics don’t think of dementia due to the age of the presenting patient. There’s usually a genetic history of dementia. Symptoms are the same as above but spread over longer periods and many patients can remain independent for a long time with this diagnosis.
Dementia generally progresses through three stages
Early; Where symptoms are mild, frequently missed or put down to getting older. Memory loss, forgetfulness are the most common signs and most people are still functioning independently.
Middle: The longest stage, where the early symptoms progress to confusion, moodiness and depression. Increased help is now needed to manage daily tasks.
Late; At this stage sufferers are increasingly frail, may no longer talk and are often lost in a world of their own. Full time 24 hour or nursing home specialist care are needed at this stage.
Post diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis can be overwhelming but it also provides answers to past frustrations and most importantly, allows you to proactively and positively plan for the future.
The Positive News of Living with Dementia
Nowadays there’s a much greater understanding of dementia with better accessibility to advice, help and services. There are so many practical steps and products available to allow you to positively plan for the future. It’s now possible, with the right help from the HSE, national or local dementia support groups and charities, to reduce anxiety and more than ever before live active, rewarding and fulfilling lives with dementia.
The products in our Dementia Care Range can help you in this regard.
