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.
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.
Many dementia patients are not aware of their condition. Memory loss and a loss of cognitive abilities are fundamental symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia, which makes it extremely difficult for sufferers to realize that they are having problems, or to understand their condition.
Receiving a life-changing dementia diagnosis doesn't strip a person of their humanity or personhood. People with dementia think about the same things that any human thinks about — emotions, relationships, daily life, tasks to accomplish, and more.
People with dementia tend to become more likely to develop apathy as their condition progresses. However, apathy can start during the very early stages in some types of dementia – such as frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) or Parkinson's disease dementia.
Many people like things done a certain way. But people in the early stages of dementia may exhibit strange obsessive-compulsive behaviors, such as locking doors over and over, or buying a can of corn every time they visit the store, even though they have a cupboard-full at home. OCD and dementia can go hand in hand.
Instead of lying to hurt or manipulate a person, which is bad, these are fibs used to validate, reassure, and comfort someone with memory loss. The first thing to realize is that telling someone with dementia the truth can be cruel and unkind, causing distress and pain rather than helping them.
I'm going to discuss five of the most basic ones here: 1) Don't tell them they are wrong about something, 2) Don't argue with them, 3) Don't ask if they remember something, 4) Don't remind them that their spouse, parent or other loved one is dead, and 5) Don't bring up topics that may upset them.
Dementia affects the way a person thinks, which can impact on their ability to respond appropriately or follow a conversation. This could be because they: do not understand what you have said.
In general, if a person is aware that they are going for a diagnosis they will be able to make that choice. It is recommended that a person with dementia be told of their diagnosis. However, a person has a right not to know their diagnosis if that is their clear and informed preference.
In stage 6 of dementia, a person may start forgetting the names of close loved ones and have little memory of recent events.
Administration: The examiner reads a list of 5 words at a rate of one per second, giving the following instructions: “This is a memory test. I am going to read a list of words that you will have to remember now and later on. Listen carefully. When I am through, tell me as many words as you can remember.
Dementia reduces the brain's ability to interpret and understand information. It also causes memory problems, which can lead to suspicion, paranoia and false ideas. If someone is unaware that their memory is poor, they may create a story or explanation in which someone or something else is blamed.
Don't Ignore Them
If you're not sure how to interact with someone with obvious signs of dementia, it's OK to feel awkward. What doesn't help is shutting down and not making an effort to interact. The same applies if you suddenly start cutting back on visits because you're feeling uncomfortable.
Generally, a senior with dementia should go into a care home if you're struggling to meet their needs and your mental and physical health as a caregiver are at risk. The safety of your loved one should also be a key factor in deciding whether it's time for memory care.
In many cases, the embarrassing behaviour can occur because the part of the brain that controls inhibitions has been damaged by their dementia. This means they have lost the ability to recognise social 'cues' or 'stoppers' to certain types of behaviour such as bad language, lewd comments or nudity.
Patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) not only are suffering from amnesia but also are prone to memory distortions, such as experiencing detailed and vivid recollections of episodic events that have never been encountered (i.e., false memories).
“Open-ended questions are great when you want to have a conversation and connect,” says Drew. “People living with Alzheimer's may enjoy talking about their families, friends, and the things they like in life, whether it's a hobby, an old TV show, or their favorite foods.”
increased agitation. aggression (shouting or screaming, verbal abuse, and sometimes physical abuse) delusions (unusual beliefs not based on reality) hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that do not exist)
Repetition. A person with Alzheimer's may do or say something over and over — like repeating a word, question or activity — or undo something that has just been finished. In most cases, he or she is probably looking for comfort, security and familiarity. Causes.
Supporting in the later stages of dementia
Often, a change in behaviour is a form of communication. It can be a result of the person feeling a certain way (for example scared, anxious, confused or upset). This could be because they need something but are not able to tell anyone about it.
The Mini-Cog test.
A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.
The clock-drawing test is a quick way to screen for early dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. It involves drawing a clock on a piece of paper with numbers, clock hands, and a specific time. The inability to do so is a strong indication of mental decline.
The main sign of mild cognitive impairment is a slight decline in mental abilities. Examples include: Memory loss: You may forget recent events or repeat the same questions and stories. You may occasionally forget the names of friends and family members or forget appointments or planned events.