Dementia – What is it?
Dementia is not one specific disease. It applies to a brain related group of disorders.
Dementia affects thought and behavioural abilities to perform everyday tasks. It is not not typically an inherited condition.
Dementia is not part of the normal aging process, typically affecting those over 65 years, but also younger ages.
Dementia types include Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular dementia, Lewy body, Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD)
Other types are Huntington’s disease, Alcohol related dementia (Korsakoff’s syndrome) and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease.
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 50-80% of cases, caused by abnormal protein deposits in the victim’s brain.
Signs are: incontinence, memory loss, forgetfulness, speech problems, mental deterioration and social withdrawal.
There are 3 main stages of Dementia: Early, Moderate, and advanced. Onset may be gradual to very rapid.
Caregiving for someone with dementia can be challenging physically and emotionally, requiring empathy and understanding.
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Dementia – What is it?
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