Did you know that dementia isn’t a specific disease? Dementia refers to a group of symptoms that are related to cognitive impairment and memory problems. Among elderly people, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, Vascular dementia, which can be caused by stroke, is the second most common cause. Many people with Parkinson’s disease will also go on to develop dementia symptoms.
If your elderly parent has been diagnosed with a condition that results in dementia, you may be wondering what to expect as their disease progresses. Dementia affects people differently, so your parent may experience some symptoms but not others. That said, here are seven things to expect with elderly dementia.
1. Memory Lapses
In the early stages of elderly dementia, people experience memory lapses, but they may still be able to function independently. These memory lapses affect the short-term memory. You may notice that your elderly parent is forgetting recent events, losing objects, or having trouble organizing thoughts. Memory aids like daily journals or to-do lists can help your parent stay independent during this time.
2. Personality Changes
Dementia can also lead to personality changes. These changes can be very scary for dementia patients and their loved ones. Your loved one may become depressed, irritable, or anxious in response to the changes they’re noticing. Later, as the disease continues to progress, personality changes can include aggression, paranoia, or agitation, and people may experience sudden mood changes.
3. Difficulty Making Decisions
Poor judgment is another symptom you can expect to see if your loved one has been diagnosed with elderly dementia. Poor judgment can manifest in a lot of ways, and it can affect your parent’s safety, finances, or social life. For example, people with dementia may go outdoors in the winter while wearing summer clothes, give away money that they can’t afford to part with, or say inappropriate things to their friends or family members.
4. Difficulty with Daily Tasks
As elderly dementia symptoms progress, people may start to have difficulty with their daily tasks. These tasks include things like going grocery shopping, cooking meals, doing housework, driving or taking public transit, and remembering to take medications. If your parent has trouble with these types of tasks, you can hire a home care service to help with daily tasks as needed.
5. Greater Memory Loss
At first, people with elderly dementia have trouble with their short-term memories, but as the disease progresses, it start to affect their long-term memory. They may forget about their own history, and may have trouble identifying their family members. They may also forget how to do basic self care tasks like getting dressed, having a bath, or going to the toilet. A home care service can help your parent handle these types of tasks as well.
6. Confusion and Disorientation
As dementia progresses, people can become confused and disoriented. They may not know where they are or what time it is. For example, people with dementia may have trouble finding their bathroom or bedroom. They may ask to be taken home, even though they’re already home. This symptom can be very dangerous since people may wander outside and not be able find their way home.
7. Need for Full-Time Assistance
In the advanced stages of dementia, people may require full-time care to stay safe. However, that doesn’t mean that they need to go to a nursing home. Trained caregivers can provide round-the-clock care at home. Caregivers offer a customized care plan, so if you choose this option, your parent will receive the right level of care and support at home as their condition progresses.
