Types of Dementia Care

Learn More About Dementia Care in Gainesville, FL & Surrounding Areas

A range of disorders that affect the brain and are widely seen in the older population are referred to as dementia. Seniors with dementia have trouble with thinking, reasoning, and problem solving, making it challenging for them to complete daily tasks and live a high quality of life. Although Alzheimer’s disease is the most well-known type of dementia, there are a variety of other dementia types. Let’s take a closer look at the definition of Alzheimer’s disease and the other types of dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Over 50 percent of the seniors diagnosed with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease permanently damages individual brain cells and is caused by protein build up. Over time, older adults with Alzheimer’s disease will develop more and more damaged brain cells and be able to function less and less. In most cases, Alzheimer’s disease begins slowly and progresses to a more serious stage over a few years. While it affects short term memory initially, day to day tasks become more of a challenge as the disease progresses, which is where dementia care professionals can step in.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia occurs when the blood supply to the brain is damaged or completely cut off. When this arises, brain cells die. Vascular dementia may appear after a stroke or gradually after a number of “mini strokes” which can be small and unnoticeable. The symptoms of vascular dementia are dependent on the part of the brain that is affected. However, the most common symptoms are forgetfulness and a decline in the ability to organize thoughts or actions.

Lewy Body Dementia

When Lewy bodies which are defined as abnormal structures build up in the brain, a senior may experience Lewy body dementia. This disease can cause a wide variety of symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, hallucinations, challenges with posture and movement, and changes in attention and alertness. Due to the fact that Lewy body disease has similar symptoms as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, it can be difficult to diagnose - however, dementia care experts are trained in spotting symptoms of the disease in seniors.

Fronto-Temporal Dementia

Since fronto-temporal dementia causes damage to the front and side parts of the brain, individuals with this condition are likely to develop mood and behavioral changes which impedes their ability to properly plan ahead or judge situations. Fronto-temporal dementia typically affects younger individuals who are under the age of 65.

Regardless of the type of dementia a senior is living with, dementia care can help them live a more independent and comfortable life at home.