What is dementia?
Dementia isn’t a disease, rather it’s the umbrella term used to describe a range of disorders that mostly affects older adults. These disorders impact the cognitive abilities (or thinking skills) of an individual by impairing their memory, attention span, communication, and reasoning. Dementia symptoms can range from mild to severe and, in most cases, may start slowly and become progressively worse over time.
How dementia is different from age-related memory loss
The typical age-related memory issues include problems such as occasionally misplacing something small like keys and glasses or forgetting recent events. Dementia, on the other hand, is so severe that it hinders daily activities and independent function. In some cases, dementia can lead an individual to become aggressive, lose their ability to control their emotions, and change their personality completely.
What causes dementia?
Dementia is caused when the brain’s cells have experienced some sort of damage and are no longer able to communicate with one another. Each part of the brain is responsible for a specific function, when that area has experienced damage, it can no longer perform its functions effectively. Different types of dementia are caused by damage to different areas of the brain. Some forms of dementia are linked to strokes, high levels of protein in the brain, and even family history.
Early warning signs of dementia
Dementia has many symptoms and can manifest itself in different ways based on the individual. The early warning signs of dementia commonly include:
● Memory loss that affects their daily life; such as forgetting appointments or names of family members
● Difficulty performing daily tasks; such as paying bills or finding their way around a familiar neighborhood
● Finding it difficult to follow conversations or express their thoughts
● The use of unusual names for familiar objects
● Changes to mood or personality
Treating dementia symptoms and planning for the future
There is currently no cure for dementia, however, a combination of medicine, non-drug therapies, and elder care can help to lessen the effects of the symptoms.
Caring for someone with dementia can be difficult and sometimes overwhelming. When an individual is diagnosed with dementia, it’s important to look into the various eldercare services available in their area. As it progresses, the changes in the behaviors and symptoms will result in an individual requiring more and more help with daily tasks. Choosing the right senior care service is vital to ensuring that an individual with dementia is still able to live a healthy and comfortable life.
Estate planning for someone with dementia
The degenerative nature of dementia means that an individual may eventually lose the ability to make decisions on their own concerning their estate and finances. Estate planning is crucial for a dementia patient. Writing a will, appointing a Power of Attorney for financial matters, and a Healthcare Power of Attorney for medical decisions are necessary steps for planning for the future when an individual has dementia. Hishaw Law LLC can help you with all of your eldercare needs and more. Please complete the intake form or contact us at jhishaw@hishawlaw.com to get started with a free consultation.
