Dementia Definition and Family Dynamics

Dementia Definition

As per WHO, Dementia is a condition in which a person experiences a deterioration in cognitive functions like thinking, remembering, and reasoning beyond what might be expected from the usual result of biological ageing.

Dementia Symptoms that You Can Notice

The effect and severity of Dementia vary from person to person depending on the causes, health conditions, and the underlying cognitive function from birth. There could be the following symptoms depending on the severity of Dementia –

Forgetfulness of recent events.
Losing track of time.
Becoming lost in familiar places.
Forgetting recent events and people’s names.
Becoming confused while at home.
Having increasing difficulty during communication.
Needing help with personal care.
Experiencing behaviour changes, including wandering and repeated questioning.
Becoming unaware of the time and place.
Having difficulty recognizing relatives and friends.
Having an increasing need for assisted self-care.
Having difficulty walking.
Experience behaviour changes that may escalate and include aggression.

Dementia Cure and Treatment

Currently, there are no permanent treatments available to cure Dementia. There are medications available, but they don’t have much of an effect on the treatment. At best, therapies have been developed to reduce Alzheimer’s and other clinical forms of Dementia, but their efficacy is still unknown. However, several clinical trials are still going on to investigate new forms of treatment.

The Significance of Family Dynamics for Dementia

Dementia is very common in India. While Indian families usually confuse it with other conditions like Alzheimer’s, one should learn the difference and tackle the disorder with utmost care. A person with Dementia needs support and care from family members. The primary ways that family members can care are-

Make arrangements for early diagnosis to prevent Dementia in later stages.
Good physical health improves the condition of Dementia. Cultivate a habit of being physically sound and healthy.
Identifying and treating accompanying physical illness.
Understanding and managing behaviour changes.
Support groups could help the Dementia condition improve

Dementia is a mental state where an Individual loses their ability to remember things they have been a part of. It also hampers cognitive processing, reasoning, and dementia can alter the personality. Such a person usually struggles with a lack of happiness, and your care as a family could encourage and help him recover with proper progress.

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Conclusion

A member in your family with Dementia usually becomes the centre of attention in family conversation. It is a healthy practice to act normal as you would act with any other members to avoid any conflicts or make a dementia affected person conscious. Additionally, you must understand that it is a mental condition that needs attention and care. These pieces of information could help anyone to tackle Dementia.

FAQs

What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?

Alzheimer’s is a form of Dementia and is the most common cause of Dementia, accounting for almost 60-70% of total cases. In contrast, Dementia is a broader term that includes Alzheimer’s.

What are the early signs of Dementia?

The early signs of Dementia include a habit of forgetfulness, losing track of time, and becoming lost in familiar places.

What are the causes of Dementia?

There are several causes of Dementia, including brain injuries, the risk of high alcohol consumption, and many other reasons.

Is Dementia hereditary?

Unlike Alzheimer’s, only rare cases of Dementia connected to genetic disorders are passed on from biological parents or grandparents to children. Thus, it is not a conclusive factor for the cause of Dementia.

Is there any cure for Dementia disease?

A few medications are preferred for treatment, but there is no permanent cure for Dementia. However, Therapies and physical fitness could improve the condition.

Things to Keep in Mind About Early Stages of Dementia

Use Positive Person-First Language to Fight This Stigma of Dementia