In addition, individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias frequently become unable to appreciate other people's feelings or needs as sensitively as they once did. As a result, they can seem “selfish” or “self-centered”, and uncaring about other peoples' needs or feelings.
People with dementia often suffer from depression, especially in the early to moderate stages of the disease when they have some awareness of losing their abilities. The person may become self-conscious about saying or doing the wrong thing, and avoid friends and family.
Restlessness and fidgeting
People with dementia often develop restless behaviours, such as pacing up and down, wandering out of the home and agitated fidgeting. This phase does not usually last for long. Try to: make sure the person has plenty to eat and drink.
To caregivers, this behavior may come across as intentionally manipulative, but this is rarely the case. “Dementia patients lose cognitive skills like logic, reasoning, problem-solving and decision-making,” explains Poiley. “So beyond the very beginning stages, a patient really couldn't be truly manipulative.”
People living with dementia keep their essence and spirit, although many will experience major personality changes. A sweet, gentle person may behave sweeter after the on-set of Alzheimer's, while the “bossy” kind may become even more controlling.
People with dementia think about the same things that any human thinks about — emotions, relationships, daily life, tasks to accomplish, and more. Receiving a life-changing diagnosis of dementia does not strip a person of their humanity and personhood.
Individuals with dementia may experience memory difficulties, issues with their ability to think, and trouble completing daily tasks. They may be aware of their symptoms in the early stages of dementia. However, a person may lose this awareness by the late stages of dementia.
Don't try to reason with patients in the middle to late stages of dementia, as they have lost their sense of logic. Figure out what is going to make the dementia patient feel the safest, even if that is a therapeutic lie instead of the truth. Do remember to always treat someone with dementia with respect.
It's true that in the early stages of the disease, people with dementia might fib to cover for memory loss. But most examples of “lying” are dementia symptoms rather than intentional deception. “They're more like an unconscious defense mechanism,” says Kallmyer.
Two personality traits, neuroticism and conscientiousness, were connected to the signature buildup of Alzheimer's disease hallmarks of amyloid and tau in the brain, according to a team of researchers led by NIA-supported scientists.
Often when a person with dementia asks to go home it refers to the sense of home rather than home itself. 'Home' may represent memories of a time or place that was comfortable and secure and where they felt relaxed and happier. It could also be an indefinable place that may not physically exist.
Health Risks of Loneliness
Recent studies found that: Social isolation significantly increased a person's risk of premature death from all causes, a risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia.
Based on a survey of over 500 adults with dementia and a series of in-depth interviews, the report founds a number of reasons contributing to the loneliness of people with dementia, including: Loss of confidence after diagnosis.
In the earlier stages, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of — and frustrated by — the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. In the later stages, memory loss becomes far more severe.
Suspicions and Delusions. A person with Alzheimer's may become suspicious of those around them, even accusing others of theft, infidelity or other improper behavior. While accusations can be hurtful, remember that the disease is causing these behaviors and try not to take offense.
increasing confusion or poor judgment. greater memory loss, including a loss of events in the more distant past. needing assistance with tasks, such as getting dressed, bathing, and grooming. significant personality and behavior changes, often caused by agitation and unfounded suspicion.
More Evidence That Alzheimer's Disease May Be Inherited from Your Mother. Results from a new study contribute to growing evidence that if one of your parents has Alzheimer's disease, the chances of inheriting it from your mother are higher than from your father.
That happens because dementia prevents people from properly processing and retaining information. Plus, having short-term memory issues means they'll probably soon forget the conversation, so it will come up again. Telling the truth each time forces them to experience fresh distress over and over again.
Trying to force a person with dementia to accept personal care constitutes abuse. It is a fundamental human right to say 'no'. However, neglecting someone's personal care needs can also be abusive, as the person's health may be put at risk.
People with dementia begin to feel lost, confused, and insecure. Attention-seeking behavior displayed by needy elderly people with dementia is their way of asking for help.
For men and women with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, it can be especially beneficial. Watching movies and TV shows can help keep their brain active, which can stimulate positive memories, improve mood, and even increase socialization.
Stage 6. In stage 6 of dementia, a person may start forgetting the names of close loved ones and have little memory of recent events. Communication is severely disabled and delusions, compulsions, anxiety, and agitation may occur.
Visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not really there) are the most common type experienced by people with dementia. They can be simple (for example, seeing flashing lights) or complex (for example, seeing animals, people or strange situations).