Dementia is a term to describe various types of cognitive impairment, including:
These disorders can lead to a loss of cognitive functioning - thinking, remembering and reasoning. Eventually, this can interfere with a person’s daily life and activities which unfortunately can be very difficult to live with for both the sufferer and those who care for them.
Finding effective ways to improve everyday quality of life is important.
Memory loss is one of the most common and distinct signs of dementia, especially lapses in short-term memory however there are some additional signs. These include:
Dementia is usually marked by the increase in frequency or severity of these experiences.
There is no test that can determine whether someone has dementia. However, a doctor can perform assessments on attention, memory, problem solving and other cognitive abilities to see if there is cause for concern. A physical exam, blood tests and brain scans like a CT or MRI can help to determine a possible underlying cause.
There is no treatment currently available that can cure dementia, however doctors can help you manage symptoms particularly agitation and other emotional concerns. The main goals for dementia care are: