A Few Facts to Note!

The purple ribbon is one of the symbols of Alzheimer’s.  A disease which takes away, gradually, your thoughts, memories, and cognitive ability to function.  It is not an easy disease to understand or accept. 

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for up to 80% of cases in seniors. Alzheimer’s progressively damages brain cells in the hippocampus — the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning — hindering someone’s memory and their ability to think and carry out even basic daily living tasks in later stages of the disease

For many, the experience of seeing those you love suffer from this disease, for which, research and knowledge is ongoing, can only be described as staggering.  For those offering care it can be an emotional roller coaster and balancing act, providing optimum care while having to cope with the fact that the once strong and independent individual no longer has the ability to care for him or herself.

7 stages of dementia?

Dementia is progressive, meaning cognitive decline worsens over time. The 7 stages of dementia begin with normal aging, and progress through severe cognitive decline. At stage 5, most people can’t survive without assistance. Dementia is most commonly diagnosed at stage 3.

• Stage 1: No cognitive decline.
• Stage 2: Age-associated memory impairment. Seniors may have difficulty remembering where they put their glasses, or the names of acquaintances, but can easily pass a clinical interview.
• Stage 3: Mild cognitive impairment. Difficulty finding common destinations, poor work performance, and inability to recall words or names are signs of mild cognitive decline.
• Stage 4: Mild dementia. Seniors may struggle to remember personal history, as well as current events. While maintaining finances or travel may become difficult, people with mild dementia will generally be able to recognize familiar people and perform most activities of daily living. Withdrawal and increased anxiety are common at this stage.
• Stage 5: Moderate dementia. A patient may be unable to recall major aspects of their current lives, like a home address or grandchild’s name. They may experience disorientation with dates and times. While using the bathroom and eating are generally not a problem, other activities of daily living (ADLs) like selecting clothes, preparing meals, and grooming require assistance.
• Stage 6: Moderately severe dementia. By stage 6, seniors often can’t remember the names of spouses or children and have little awareness of recent personal history. Cognitive assessments like counting and word recall may be difficult, and incontinence and sleep disruption are common.
• Stage 7: Severe dementia. Verbal abilities and basic motor skills are lost in the final stage of cognitive decline, as the brain becomes unable to tell the body what to do.

Aging is a well-known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. In fact, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years in people 65 and older.

Learning to spot key dementia symptoms in aging parents and documenting the early stages of dementia can make a big difference. Your observations could provide helpful insight to doctors, which can lead to a quicker and more accurate diagnosis.

Early signs of dementia in the elderly
Signs of dementia may vary in seniors, but here are some key warning signs to monitor.

1. Difficulty remembering or trouble finding words
2. Inability to learn something new
3. Struggling to manage finances
4. Losing track of time
5. Poor judgment and decision making
6. Problems remembering commitments
7. Losing interest in favorite activities
8. Repeating themselves

Physical signs of dementia in elderly relatives

In addition to the eight major dementia symptoms above, many seniors will exhibit physical signs of cognitive decline. Some warning behaviors include:

1. Agitation. Mood changes that include confusion, irritability, depression, or anxiety are common in people with dementia. Your parent may become easily upset in different or new situations.
2. Wandering. People with dementia sometimes get lost in familiar places or walk aimlessly. Dementia wandering can happen for many reasons, including fear, anxiety, boredom, or an urge to follow past routines.
3. Picking. If an elderly relative picks at the air in front of them or makes repetitive movements like opening and closing containers or switching the TV on and off, it could be a dementia symptom.
4. Sleep problems. Insomnia and sundown syndrome are common problems in people with dementia. Your parent may have problems falling asleep, or they may wake up several times throughout the night. They may also feel more restless at the end of the day—this is called sundowning. Doctors believe sundowning can be triggered by exhaustion, excitement, or changes in the biological clocks of people with dementia. Managing sleep is an important aspect of taking care of elderly parents with dementia.
5. Eating problems. Your parent may forget to eat or drink.
6. Incontinence. As dementia progresses, your loved one may lose bladder and bowel control. Changes in environment may also lead to accidents because someone with dementia may not be able to find the bathroom or get there in time.