It is easy to confuse some of the symptoms of aphasia and dementia, which often leads to questions on whether the two medical conditions are related.
Before we go deeper into answering the query, it is important to first define these conditions.
Aphasia is a language or speech disorder that is a result of complications in the brain.
In Greek, the word Aphasia translates to speechlessness.
Dementia, on the other hand, is a general term that describes a range of medical conditions that are caused by abnormal brain changes.
In Latin, the term dementia stands for “madness” which implies severe memory loss in a person who was previously normal beyond what is expected as a person grows older.
Similarities between Aphasia and Dementia
Some factors may lead persons to believe that dementia and aphasia are quite similar.
One of them is the fact that a person who has aphasia can have challenges finding the proper words to use when holding a conversation.
It is something that persons with dementia may also struggle with. Both conditions are also caused by damage that occurs in the brain.
Another similarity that the two conditions share is that diagnosis of dementia and aphasia is often done through observation of symptoms.
There is No Set Test
This is because there is no specific test that can offer conclusive evidence of the disease.
This implies that there are treatable dementias, especially in the case where the causes can be cured.
It is also worth mentioning that there is a type of aphasia known as progressive aphasia that is a progressive illness that continues to become worse as time goes by.
This is a characteristic that the disease shares with dementia because it is also a progressive illness.
Progressive aphasia starts with the impairment of language abilities and after some time, the affected individual may also experience attention and memory impairment.
Most people with progressive aphasia also develop additional dementia symptoms.
Differences between Aphasia and Dementia
Several differences crop up when comparing dementia and aphasia. Here we will discuss the three main ones touching on communication, behavior, symptoms, and cause.
Communication
We have already noted that communication problems are present in both disorders. When it comes to communication, however, some subtle differences come up for individuals with dementia and the ones with aphasia.
A person with aphasia may already know what they are trying to say, but they may not be able to communicate the idea clearly.
With dementia, a person may lose sight of what they were trying to say.
While both persons may be searching deep in their brain to find purpose or meaning in what they want to say, the one with aphasia can toy around with the word on the tip of their tongue but this is not possible for the one with dementia.
Behavior
When it comes to behavior, a person with dementia will, at some point, need help to complete day to day activities because of the extent of brain damage that happens as the disease progresses.
Individuals with aphasia will continue to function “normally” in regards to daily activities. They will not need assistance with activities like eating, grooming, or drinking because they only have challenges with speech and conversations.
Symptoms
The symptoms of aphasia and dementia also vary.
Symptoms that a person with aphasia may showcase include the inability to read aloud, constant phase repetition, challenges with writing, inability to recollect the name of objects, the substitution of letters or words, and even speaking things that do not make sense.
While persons with dementia may experience some of the aphasia symptoms, they may also encounter other symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, mood changes, difficulties concentrating, and inability to perform day-to-day activities amongst others depending on the stage of the illness.
These are symptoms that are not common with individuals who are suffering from aphasia.
Causes of Aphasia and Dementia
We have already established that both dementia and aphasia are caused when there are damages in the brain.
What sets the two conditions apart is the section of the brain that is hurt.
For aphasia, people will get the illness when the part of the brain that controls speech is damaged. This mostly happens because of traumatic brain injury or a stroke.
Infections and brain tumors are other probable causes of aphasia.
Dementia is quite different from this.
Even though a stroke or traumatic brain injury can also cause it, it is mostly a result of amyloid plaque build-up in the brain, which leads to the development of the most common dementia type known as Alzheimer’s disease.
This build-up cuts off neurons in the brain that are responsible for relaying messages from one part of the brain to the next.
It ends up affecting the entire brain and not the speech part, as is the case with aphasia.
This is why a person with dementia may not know the name of a familiar face or even remember how to hold a fork because they cannot access their memories.
The person with aphasia only has problems accessing the part of the brain that deals with speech.
These differences between aphasia and dementia are instrumental when it comes to diagnosis.
A doctor can study the symptoms to know whether a person is only having trouble with speech or they are having communication problems as well as other challenges with their day to day lives to understand what the person is suffering from.
This implies that a person who has the disease may notice that there is something different going on in their lives but they may not necessarily know that they have the disease.
People become aware of the changes
Some people with dementia may go about their lives oblivious to what is going on in their brains.
A report from Johns Hopkins in 2018 revealed that a majority of people living with dementia do not know about their diagnosis.
Some of these people might suffer from anosognosia which is a result of cell damage in the parietal and right pre-frontal lobes.
It can be brought about by cell declination as a result of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease or when a person has a stroke.
Other people may notice the physical changes, mental limitations, and behaviors that the ill person showcases but they will remain adamant that nothing is wrong.
This creates challenges for caregivers because they will be dealing with someone who thinks they are fine; thus, they do not need to take the necessary measures to treat symptoms and increase longevity because dementia does not have a cure to date.
The majority of people with dementia don’t know they have it
These are people who can refuse to take medicine, or insist that they can go to work or the store even when it is not safe to do so.
For such a group, if you ask the question do people with dementia know they have it, the answer will be a resounding no.
This is, however, not to state that every single person with the illness does not know they have it.
Some individuals may actually know depending on the stage dementia is diagnosed.
Developing dementia can be a stressful time for the affected person.
One day they might be living their lives “normally” and the next they can only recognize their family or friends without perhaps remembering their name among an array of other symptoms.
At this point, a person might think that they are experiencing normal forgetfulness that mostly happens as humans grow older but it may not be the case.
For this reason, it is important to seek medical advice when you suspect that there is something wrong with your health.
This will help get the proper diagnosis to know how to deal with the conditions heads on.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Even for people without the disease, it is not easy to tell whether a person has dementia or not, the reason a doctor’s intervention is necessary.
It is because in most cases, dementia is only diagnosed when the symptoms start showing up and for some individuals, the disease may have progressed considerably.
This is one of the things that also makes it difficult to give a straight answer to the question do people with dementia know they have it.
There are some early warning signs, however, that may point towards a person having dementia.
Touching a person and massaging them with essential oils or lotions will not only soothe the skin but will also increase the circulation of blood and other nutrients.
This is a move that can help nerves function better as it helps them to relax.
Eases Disruptive Behaviors
Massage therapy is said to have a positive effect on some dementia symptoms like agitation and wandering. This can come from both hand massage and massaging chairs.
Because they help a person feel calm and relaxed, it can help to reduce or eliminate wandering habits and disruptive behaviors that are common with people who have dementia.
Researchers from Canada conducted this study where they observed 57 persons with Alzheimer’s in a facility in British Columbia for three days.
They divided the participants into three groups each getting different amounts of touching.
One group was not receiving any touch, the other was getting a “non-nurturing touch” and the 3rd group was getting massages two times a day. They found that the group that was receiving touches were calmer.
Slows Down the Process of Memory Loss
Slowing down memory loss is another benefit of massage therapy for dementia patients.
This mostly happens because massage helps to enhance blood circulation in which turns slows down memory loss.
After all, the brain is getting adequate oxygen and other nutrients it needs to function properly.
Naturally, this improves brain activity making individuals with dementia more active as well as aware of their current health status.
A person with dementia should receive regular massages so that positive progress can be seen regarding memory loss.
A licensed massage therapist in New York Connie Tjaden recommends a ten-minute massage applied to the right place three times weekly.
Restores Dignity
Dementia can make a person feel like they are undesirable and unwanted, reason many individuals with the illness end up withdrawing socially.
A good massage can help fix this because touch one of the things that ill individuals need. Massage can restore dignity as it develops a bond between the therapist and their clients.
This can also increase the confidence of a person which leads them to be more socially active as the individuals with dementia try and express their thoughts and feelings to their loved ones.
Enhances Overall Health
When talking about massage therapy for dementia patients, it is also important to note that it can also help with overall health and not brain health only.
This is mostly because good massages increase the levels of endorphins that are released in the body thanks to improved blood circulation.
Endorphins contribute to the general wellness of the human body because they make a person feel energized and happy.
Massages, on the other hand, also encourage a relaxation effect on the brain. This helps to decrease the levels of cortisol (a stress hormone).
This is essential especially for seniors because it can help strengthen the immune system.
Massage is also known to increase serotonin levels in the body.
This is the neurochemical that helps to enhance feelings of relaxation and calm as well as regulates mood.
Different Types of Massages for Dementia
When it comes to massage therapy for dementia patients, there are different types of massages that can benefit persons with the neurodegenerative illness.
The ones that work best are the ones that target specific pressure or pain points to aid in relieving stress for persons with dementia.
Hand Massage
Many individuals with dementia can respond well to hand massage because holding hands is a familiar feeling.
It mostly involves the gentle pressing of the palm as well as rubbing knuckles in a therapeutic motion.
They can help reduce agitation and increase bonds between loved ones. As little as five minutes is enough to evoke a positive response.
Foot Massage
These are beneficial when it comes to alleviating anxiety, encouraging relaxation, easing pain, communicating comfort and support in palliative care, and promoting sleep.
An article published in the Australasian Journal on Ageing the 2011 issue by Amy Johnson, Wendy Moyle, and Siobhan O’ Dwyer titles “Exploring the Effect of Foot Massage on Agitated Behaviors in Older People with Dementia: A Pilot Study stated that at least ten minutes of foot massage reduced agitative behavior symptoms like wandering, repetitive movements, and aggression.
According to the research daily foot massages reduced this kind of behavior after only two weeks for both females and males with dementia.
Slow-Stroke Back Massage
This uses effleurage mostly in a figure-8 formation on all sides of the back moving the palm with firm, rhythmic, and long strokes.
This type of massage is great for fighting agitation, sleep, and anxiety. It may also help to decrease heart rate and blood pressure.
Closing Remarks
When looking for a natural and reliable way to soothe persons with dementia, you can always try massage therapy for dementia patients.
Practitioners say that it records significant improvements.
More scientific data, however, needs to be collected to show conclusive results. Worth noting is that while massage therapy is a viable option, it is not for everyone with dementia.
Some will respond well, while it may hurt others especially the ones who are afraid of touch; thus, it has to be personalized.
While researchers and other medical experts continue to search for a cure for dementia, there are some essential oils for dementia that can help improve some of the symptoms that persons with this neurodegenerative disease experience.
Essential oils are generally extracted from plants and herbs.
There are two ways this is done.
One of them is through expression which uses mechanical pressure to force the oil out. The other is distillation where the steam releases compounds from the plants.
A cooling system is then used on the vapor as the stream converts back to the water. The oil will float on top when the mixture cools.
Best Essential Oils for Dementia
Let’s check out some of the essential oils that are best suited for persons with dementia.
Lavender is known to balance strong emotions and it also produces a calming effect. It can be used for persons who have anger issues, irritability, or depression.
In some cases, it can also help people with insomnia.
Rosemary belongs to the group of essential oils for dementia that is worth mentioning. It is considered an uplifting oil that stimulates both the body and mind.
Some say that it can also improve mood and cognitive performance.
A study by Lorraine Oliver and Mark Moss reported some persuasive evidence that exposing people with dementia to rosemary oil improves cognitive performance in both accuracy and speed measures.
Additionally, rosemary is thought to increase appetite, ease constipation, and even relieve depression symptoms
A quick market search reveals that lemon oil is among the most costly essential oils. Nonetheless, it is one of the most studied oils, thanks to its effectiveness.
The oil has been shown to help people with insomnia and anxiety to relax and remain calm. It is also known to ease indigestion, and improve memory.
Oil made from the ginger root also belongs to the category of essential oils for dementia. It is particularly helpful for individuals suffering from digestion problems.
For generations, the oil has been used to treat constipation, and loss of appetite. Ginger is also known to help people eat well.
Ylang Ylang oil is great for two major functions. It can help promote good sleep and it can also ease depression symptoms.
In addition to people with dementia, caregivers looking after ill individuals can also use it if they are struggling with a lack of sleep and restlessness.
It is advisable to combine this with lemon oil for maximum benefits.
It is also important to note that scent has the potential to activate various emotional and physical responses. Specific aromas can bring back memories that a person might have forgotten.
Comparison/Review of Barefut Oils and Rocky Mountain Oils
There are many companies selling essential oils. The 2 companies we have reviewed offer 100% pure organic premium oils. All the oils discussed in this article are sold by both companies.
Company Name
BAREFUT ESSENTIAL OILS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ESSENTIAL OILS
Selection/Range
All oils in this article available
100 single oils, plus 75 blends. All oils in this article available
Customer Reviews
4.9 STARS average
Between 4 and 5 STARS
Organic
100%
USDA Certified organic
Quality
Every batch GC/MS Tested & analysed by chemists
Provides GC/MS test results from an independent 3rd party lab
Chemicals & Pesticides
Chemically free
Chemically Free
Extraction
Steam distillation or cold press
Artificial Ingredients, filters and additives
Nil
Nil
Purity
100%
100%
Guarantee
30 days satisfaction money back Guarantee
90 days satisfaction money back guarantee
Shipping Costs
Free shipping with orders over $25 in USA
Free shipping USA
Rewards program
Yes
Yes
Packaging & storage
Prevents oxidation with nitrogen cap, and cool dark storage. Amber bottles.
In most cases, the oils are used for aromatherapy where persons inhale the oils or they are used for a massage. Look at some of the most common ways the oils are used.
Massage
Massage combines the therapeutic benefits of touch with the oils. This helps to improve and relax muscle tone as well as improve lymph flow and blood circulation.
Direct Inhalation
For this, a person puts essential oils in a cloth or tissue and inhales through their nose.
Ambient diffusion
This is where you use a dispenser to disperse the oils into the air.
Bath
An individual can opt to use the essential oils in their bathwater. It is one of the best ways to relieve emotional and muscular stress while soothing skin conditions at the same time.
It can be a full bath or foot bath depending on what a person desires.
Body oil
It is where individuals benefit from aromatic treatment through absorption of the skin. The oils in this case are best used after a bath or shower in a bid to deep condition the skin.
Misting
This is another way the essential oils can be dispersed in the air. For this, you will add drops of oil to a mister and vigorously shake to mist the air.
Gargling
At times, an expert may advise a person to gargle the essential oils.
Compress
It is also possible to use essential oils as a compress.
For this, an individual needs to add drops of oil to warm or cold water. Soak a cloth in this water, wring it, and apply the infused cloth on the skin.
Spraying on linens or clothing
Some oils, especially the ones used to promote sleep and relieve stress are best applied to pillowcases or clothes for the best results.
What to Look For When Purchasing Essential Oils?
Ensure you are buying high-quality oils. Essential oils are not regulated by the FDA and have therefore have no quality control guidelines in place. It is up to the buyer to do their own due diligence.
Best to buy organic. Ensure the product has a USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) certified organic label.
Read the label. The label should include where the plant originates, where the product was made, the Latin name, as well as how the oil was extracted. The label should also include safety data.
Jar color: dark blue or amber bottles protects the aromatic and therapeutic properties.
Be wary of companies claiming their product can cure Alzheimer disease, dementia, or other diseases. Be cautious.
Tightly sealed bottles.
Do not buy synthetic oil products. These have none of the health benefits that pure essential oils have.
Look for 100% pure essential oils. Pure oils will not be greasy/oily or leave any residue on paper. Pure oils do not have artificial substances in the formulas
Closing Remarks
As much as essential oils for dementia may offer a wide range of benefits, they are not regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
For this reason, it is important to consult a professional doctor before using any of the oils to make sure they will be safe and effective.
After a positive dementia diagnosis, some people may ask how do you treat dementia naturally.
Before answering this question, it is important to note that there is currently no cure for dementia.
Affected persons can, however, take some steps that will help to treat symptoms of the illness or help slow down its progression.
There are two ways of doing this.
The first includes taking medication while the other focuses on alternative treatments.
Natural Treatments for Dementia
The primary aim of treatment is to create a better quality of life for ill individuals. Below we will highlight some of the options available when a person wants to treat dementia naturally.
Eating a Healthy Diet
Some studies confirm that diet plays a vital role in slowing down the progression of dementia.
Some foods like leafy green vegetables, fatty fish, herbs, some oils (CBD oil, olive oil, etc.), nuts, fruits, cruciferous vegetables, and other superfoods come highly recommended not only for treating the disease but reducing its risk as well.
Use of Supplements
Supplements are another answer given to the question of how do you treat dementia naturally.
Several supplements are known to be beneficial to persons suffering from dementia.
The most popular one is Ginkgo biloba which comes from trees from the Maidenhair tree.
It is in use in America for years, but it still needs a prescription in many countries in Europe.
Ginkgo biloba is said to have three primary active ingredients namely bilobalide, ginkgolides, and flavonoids that help in promoting blood flow, inhibiting inflammation, and reducing the damage that free radicals cause.
Numerous trials reveal that the supplement helps to improve cognition in individuals with dementia. Other supplements that people with the neurodegenerative illness can try include Omega-3 fatty acids, Ginseng, Vitamins B12 & B9, Vitamin E, Huperzine, and Vitamin D.
Remember to exercise extreme caution when taking supplements because, in most cases, the remedies are not regulated.
It is always best to consult your doctor before you start taking any supplements.
A professional occupational therapist can work with individuals with dementia as well as their families to teach coping behaviors.
The expert can also offer insight on how to modify the affected person’s living space to make it safer and more comfortable.
This is one to manage behavior, prevent accidents like slipping and falling, and also prepare everyone involved for dementia progression.
Music Therapy
This can help to promote relaxation and reduce agitation especially if it involves listening to soothing music.
What’s best, almost everyone can introduce music therapy to their lives.
Pet Therapy
The therapy involves the use of domestic animals like cats and dogs. This has been known to improve the behavior and moods of people with dementia.
Art Therapy
This entails getting weak individuals to participate in creative art focusing on the process instead of the results.
Reality Orientation Training
This comes in handy as the disease continues to progress and a person starts to forget important details. It involves going over basic things like the time, date, and person’s name.
Bright Light Therapy
Many people who have dementia will experience sleep disruptions because the disease affects the region of the brain that regulates the circadian rhythm that tells the body when to wake up and sleep.
Light therapy can help to restore a person’s sleep-wake cycle. Not to mention, bright light therapy works in reducing agitation, too.
Aromatherapy
This is the use of essential oils to improve well-being. A short-term study revealed that therapy can help improve thinking abilities in seniors.
Some oils commonly used for aromatherapy include lavender, lemon, rosemary, and orange.
Reminiscence Therapy
This involves the process of allowing persons with dementia to remember the good old days.
In short, you can do reminisce therapy by talking about their past life, viewing pictures and videos, or listening to music that helps them remember treasured memories.
Exercise
Exercise is another solution available for persons asking how do you treat dementia naturally.
Persons with dementia can get multiple benefits from exercising. These include enhanced balance, strength, and cardiovascular health.
Experts also explain that exercise can help to effectively manage symptoms like restlessness.
Additionally, staying physically active can help a person sleep better.
Growing evidence also reveals that exercise can help protect the human brain from dementia especially when it is combined with treating cardiovascular disease risk factors and a healthy diet.
Research also states that physical activity can help reduce depression symptoms as well as slow down the progression of impaired thinking in persons who have dementia.
Exercise does not have to be something strenuous that will end up frustrating an individual. It can be something light and enjoyable such as gardening, taking walks, swimming, and dancing.
The workouts must also be safe to do depending on a person’s ability.
Coconut Oil
Processed coconut oil contains a fatty acid known as caprylic acid.
The body breaks down this acid into a protein known as ketone. For your information, Ketasyn is a drug that uses a similar protein.
Some researchers claim that individuals who took Ketasyn recorded less cognitive decline and improved memory performance.
Instead of taking the drug, some individuals are taking processed coconut oil to reap the benefits.
Acupuncture
Some people believe strongly that acupuncture can help in dementia treatment. This is why we had to include it as one of the responses of how do you treat dementia naturally.
The therapist uses needles to stimulate the body while improving energy flow.
Some studies show that acupuncture can help improve cognitive function and mood for people with dementia.
Others claim that it can help to relieve pain and increase energy levels. This is worth trying out as it presents little risk.
A licensed and trained practitioner must, however, perform the therapy.
Reflexology
This is the practice of careful hand and foot massage with the aim of alleviating pain and reducing distress.
Massages for a long time have been known to improve the quality of life for individuals who have dementia. It can also help to brighten up someone’s mood.
Social Interaction
Some problems that people with dementia face stem from social isolation. It is one of the main reasons social interactions are a part of the answers to the query of how do you treat dementia naturally.
Psychosocial interactions can help improve cognition and the general well-being of persons who have dementia.
Sensory activities are also important especially when the affected individuals have challenges with communication because they can help identify new ways to communicate with peers and caregivers.
These can include things like dancing and art activities like pottery.
Challenging the Brain
Another way you can treat dementia naturally is through keeping the brain active. If the impaired person enjoys Sudoku or crossword puzzles, set time apart for them to engage in these activities.
If they do not like such, caregivers must identify some of the hobbies that the person with dementia may like.
This can be anything from going to church for service, listening to music, playing an instrument, cooking, playing card games, reading a book, or other mentally engaging activities.
The internet is a great resource for cognitive games that individuals with dementia can try out to keep their brains active and healthy.
Quality Sleep
A good night’s sleep is another solution available for people seeking answers to how do you treat dementia naturally.
Persons who have dementia may have problems with sleeping. Some may end up sleeping too much during the day and end up tossing and turning most of the night.
Lack of sleep can worsen a majority of dementia symptoms.
This is why caregivers and family members need to ensure that their loved ones who have dementia get enough rest and quality sleep each night.
An individual may have to go through cognitive behavioral therapy that can help improve insomnia symptoms and those of depression as well.
Sticking to a schedule can also help a person know when it is time to sleep.
If you cannot solve the problem at home, do not shy away from consulting a doctor who will offer a practical solution.
Closing Thoughts
Even though dementia may not have a cure yet, it does not mean that a person with the disease has to suffer immensely for the rest of their lives.
Above are some of the examples of natural treatment that individuals with dementia can try out to improve quality of life and relieve some negative symptoms that are brought by the disease.
Because there are several options, caregivers should make sure that they only explore the ones that are working with a particular individual.
Some persons may find some options too patronizing. Drop them immediately and try others until you identify the ones that bring out the best results.
It is important to know how to act during the rapid decline in dementia to avoid the inconvenience.
Alzheimer’s disease and most other causes of dementia are gradually progressive conditions. Sudden or rapid changes in mood, behavior, confusion or ability to function almost always indicate that something else is going on.
Very often this is a medical concern.
Different Medical Conditions and Dementia Decline
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common among older women. Men can also get them, especially in the presence of a catheter or prostate issue.
Some people take diuretic medication for fluid retention, swollen legs, blood pressure, heart conditions or other conditions.
Examples of diuretic medication include Lasix (furosemide), Demadex (torsemide), and Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide).
When people take diuretic medication they can easily become dehydrated, especially after a bout of diarrhea.
Dehydration leads to an electrolyte imbalance which can cause confusion, drowsiness, dry mouth, decreased urination and a rapid heart rate.
The doctor should be notified immediately for proper assessment and treatment.
Constipation
Older adults with dementia are often at high risk for constipation. Many seniors take a number of medications that can slow bowel function.
If they have difficulty moving around their risk for constipation is further increased as well.
Going a couple of days without moving one’s bowels can be very uncomfortable.
It can cause nausea, irritability and changes in appetite.
If the person with dementia has difficulty identifying the cause for his or her discomfort, he or she will usually communicate it behaviorally by getting cranky and irritable.
Going four or five days without a bowel movement is an urgent concern.
The stool grows harder and increasingly difficult to pass, and there exists a high risk for potentially life-threatening complications such as perforating the bowel.
Dementia itself neither causes nor dulls the pain.
One key difference though is that in many cases the person with dementia can no longer recognize or communicate pain as they once could.
Another change is that they are often no longer able to treat pain on their own before it worsens. It is generally recognized that it is more effective to prevent pain than it is to “chase” it, or treat it once it has escalated.
When a person can no longer take medication, apply heat, change their position, or do what may be needed to address the pain in its early stages managing it starts to become more challenging.
Many family members tend to be under the impression that their loved one “used to have” chronic pain but no longer do. Because they no longer mention it, families assume it no longer bothers them.
A sudden increase in pain may be the result of a bump, fall, ingrown toenail, rash or skin infection, spontaneous compression fracture, or shoes that need replacement.
Whatever the cause, hurting takes a lot of energy. Pain is exhausting on its own, and it can also interfere with sleep.
With dementia, everything including thinking and basic functioning requires a great deal of energy.
Everything becomes increasingly difficult, and it becomes impossible to function at one’s best.
Sleeplessness
It’s no secret that people don’t function well without proper sleep.
If a loved one with dementia is not sleeping well due to pain, illness, depression, nightmares or any other reason, they will not be able to function at their highest level.
When a brain can’t function well the result often includes changes in mood, emotional control, behavior, thinking, reasoning, or motor control.
The brain controls literally everything the person does, so everything is potentially affected.
Changes in medications
Medications tend to affect the elderly much more significantly than the general adult population.
They have different recommended dosing and there are many medications that are considered too dangerous to use in the elderly in most cases.
Furthermore, many elders take multiple medications, many of which affect each other. They may increase or decrease the potency of one another, or increase the risk of dangerous side effects.
To reduce the risk of medication interactions it is important to use only one doctor to the extent possible and to use only one pharmacy.
If a sudden change in behavior or condition occurs, consider whether there have been any recent changes in medication or dosages. Also, consider if the person may have accidentally taken too much or too little of what has been prescribed.
For example, might they have forgotten to take their medication, or might they have accidentally taken more than what was prescribed?
Other medical conditions
Most people with dementia are over 65 and many have additional medical conditions. These may be acting up or newly onset. Uncontrolled blood sugars caused by diabetes, heart conditions, thyroid conditions, other infections or any other underlying medical condition may be to blame.
So, what to do when a loved one with dementia experiences a rapid change or decline?
It is always important to consult with the loved one’s doctor when any sudden change is noted in someone with dementia.
It can be hard to anticipate what will be needed when a loved one is planning a move to a memory care facility. There is just so much stress, so much emotion, and so much unknown.
Smooth the Experience Where Possible
It’s hard enough to make a move to a facility under any circumstances, but if the home must be completely vacated it can be especially stressful.
Some of the pressure can be alleviated by renting a storage unit for a few months until the person is more settled.
It should be expected that things will not always go as planned, and that needs and preferences will continually change throughout the course of the illness.
It’s impossible to predict exactly what will change or go awry, so just be prepared to roll with the punches as they present themselves.
What to Bring to a Memory Care Facility
Read on for a few things to consider when preparing for a move to memory care.
Furniture
Check with facility management about which furniture, if any, will be provided and whether they have any suggestions regarding what to bring or leave behind.
The Bed
Some facilities will provide a bed and others won’t. If they do, find out what kind of bed and mattress to expect.
Connect with the staff to ensure everyone understands who will be providing and laundering bed linens.
Regardless of which bed is used, it is almost always advisable to bring a personal bedspread, quilt or blanket to use as a cover. This will increase familiarity in the room, so it usually should be an item the person already owns.
Be sure that the spread isn’t too big for the bed, which can create a tripping hazard. When downsizing beds, altering a favorite bedspread to fit the new bed safely can be a good option.
If the opportunity should come up it is worth considering a bed with adjustable head and foot position, even if it isn’t a current need.
As conditions change these features can really come in handy. Having them readily available may make a big difference down the road and may help to prevent a last-minute scramble to find one.
When deciding on which bed to bring to memory care consider the following points:
Does the person prefer a softer or firmer mattress?
Some mattresses are specially designed to reduce the risk of developing pressure sores. This may not be needed for everyone, but can make a big difference for some.
Thick or thin, firm or fluffy, most people sleep best with their own pillow – or at least their own favorite type of pillow.
It may be a good idea to bring one’s own bed when allowed if the specific bed is currently very important to the person. Usually, it’s not a big deal to people in the scope of everything, but to some, it matters tremendously. Be sure to verify that the bed fits in the room safely and can be transported through the doorway.
Armoire or Dresser
Many facilities have limited closet space, so an armoire or dresser can be a nice addition for some.
For many with dementia out of sight means out of mind. In some cases, it can be a good idea to keep certain items purposely out of sight.
In many cases, the person will be better able to maintain their independence if they can find items they need on their own.
For this reason, consider whether any of the following tips may be helpful:
Use a familiar dresser and keep the clothing arranged how they are accustomed to it.
Label each drawer with large print or simple pictures to identify what is inside.
Use furniture without a lot of separate compartments so that they can readily see their options.
There are furniture companies that make specialized furniture designed using these theories to help support people with dementia maintain their independence.
Don’t expect that the person’s closet or other belongings will be kept in order. Regardless of any effort to label or keep them organized, it just isn’t realistic to expect that they will stay that way.
It’s not useless; it still helps minimize disarray to do so, just don’t be disappointed when it’s not well kept up. There are just too many people, factors and variables involved.
Whether the person will rummage through their things on their own, or a confused neighbor will, or the well-meaning care staff will not share the same understanding of organizational principles, or they will encounter situations that are prioritized over putting away clothing neatly, or any number of other factors will prevent the organization from lasting more than a couple of days in a memory care closet.
It can help to pack up seasonal items and clothing and store them elsewhere to minimize clutter in the room. Ask the facility if they have any storage available for residents’ overflow or find an off-campus solution.
Other furniture
In addition to a bed and dresser, there may be enough room for an additional small or medium-sized piece of furniture. A favorite chair is often a good choice. Think about how and where the person currently spends their day.
The battered recliner may not look as attractive as another option, but if that is where they usually choose to sit it is likely to bring them the greatest comfort in their new home.
A desk, a computer, a sewing machine or similar items may be important to the person and so they could be good to bring along as space allows.
Often these items become more decorative than utilitarian but not only do they add familiarity to the room, they also reinforce the person’s sense of self. This is very valuable because the sense of self is constantly being eroded away by the disease.
Be sure to take any appropriate safety precautions.
Make sure to remove scissors, pins, needles, et cetera if needed.
Be sure that any sensitive financial information or access is removed from desks or computers.
Avoid rolling chairs, which can lead to falls.
Lamps
A floor or desk lamp can add a cozy glow and a comfortable homey feeling to a room. Be sure extra light bulbs are stored safely.
Decoration
Always keep in mind that anything brought into a memory care facility is at risk of becoming lost or damaged.
Don’t bring anything irreplaceable unless losing it is an acceptable outcome. Insure anything of value. Renter’s insurance is a good idea to maintain in memory care.
When selecting decor keep in mind that the main goals are:
Create and maintain a safe and homey environment
Maximize familiarity of the person’s new home
Reinforce the person’s sense of self
Facilitate connections between the person and others, namely staff or visitors
Safety
People with dementia typically experience an increase in confusion when they are in an unfamiliar environment. Until they acclimate to their new home they are at a heightened risk for falling.
This is especially concerning considering that many people with dementia are already at high risk for falls due to many factors including impulsivity, impaired safety awareness and altered spatial awareness.
Fall risk can be reduced by observing the following recommendations:
Avoid bringing too many items to memory care. Cluttered areas present a significant risk for tripping and falling.
Avoid area rugs, throw rugs and bath mats. These are huge tripping hazards and should generally be avoided at all costs.
Double check to ensure that electrical cords cannot accidentally end up anywhere they could cause somebody to stumble. Taping them into place may be advisable, and keep them well clear of walkways.
Many facilities have policies regarding extension cords and other potentially dangerous items. Be sure to check with facility management prior to bringing in items such as:
Extension cords or power strips
Electric heaters
Faux fireplaces
Electric blankets
Heating pads
Blades including pocket knifes, scissors, nail clippers, razors, et cetera
Other sharp objects such as letter openers, knitting needles, sewing needles
Familiarity
Being able to recognize familiar items or decor can ease the transition to the new environment.
People with dementia can function better and experience less disorientation and confusion in a familiar environment than an unfamiliar one.
Generally, it is advisable to create the most familiarity possible in the new environment. Use the same furniture, decor, and items and place them in similar arrangements to the extent possible and practical.
Do they have lots of family photos, artwork or plants? Which furniture do they use most frequently? Which daily morning, afternoon or evening routines are most important?
As they acclimate to the facility, and settle into this new chapter in their life, many of these things will change. Setting them up as similarly as possible to start can be helpful in the beginning.
Sense of Self
Decor is an excellent tool for reinforcing the sense of self. Consider which items evoke feelings of security, comfort, identity or pride in the individual.
For some, it may be a college degree or a special award. For others, it may be a photo of a workplace, home, or a particular accomplishment. Others may enjoy seeing a knitting basket full of yarn or quilts that they have created. Many find comfort in family photos.
Use caution with military memorabilia. For some, it may evoke positive feelings, but for others, it may have the opposite effect.
Opportunities for Connection
Decor is one of the best and quickest ways to introduce one’s self to staff and visitors without ever having to say a word. It gives people a way to instantly connect.
Use labels with basic details so that it doesn’t fall on the person to always remember and verbalize the information.
An example might be a world map marked with the places the person had visited or captioned photographs.
Photographs
Family photos are usually a safe bet and a frequent favorite.
Bear in mind that people with dementia sometimes regress in their orientation, and may believe at times that they are still a young adult or even a child.
They may believe that their children are still babies, not grown adults, and that their spouse, if they are married at all, is a young adult, not an elder.
In these cases, it is generally most effective and therapeutic to meet them where they are in the moment rather than try to continually reorient them.
If in their mind they are back in their childhood, pictures of their parents are often the most recognizable and comforting. Pictures of siblings, pets or the family home can also be welcome.
For some, it is helpful to bring a frame that shows labeled pictures of their children both as youngsters and as grown adults.
Other items
Clothing
How much to bring?
Bring at least enough clothing, pajamas, socks and underclothing for 7-10 days, more if incontinence is an issue.
Be mindful not to bring so much clothing that the closets or drawers are stuffed, and avoid bringing items that the person won’t need regularly.
Be sure to bring a couple of pairs of shoes, ensuring they are comfortable and slip-resistant.
Safe footwear
Slippers and other shoes should cover the heel so they aren’t easy to step out of accidentally. Slipper socks with non-slip rubber on the soles are often a good addition to the wardrobe.
They can help prevent falls if the person gets up from bed and forgets to put on shoes or slippers.
Adapting the wardrobe
At some point, it may be helpful or necessary to adapt the wardrobe to enhance independence or to change with evolving needs or preferences.
Examples of common adaptations include:
Eliminating buttons, or choosing clothing with large buttons only
Avoid tops that pull over the head, opting instead for a button down or cardigan style
Eliminating pants with zippers and buttons in favor of elastic waistbands
Replacing shoes with shoelaces with velcro or slip on styles
Clothing should feel comfortable, familiar and help the person feel they look good
Don’t go out and buy a whole new wardrobe unless these adaptations are necessary. Clothing should feel comfortable, familiar and reinforce the person’s sense of self and self-esteem.
Looking good helps people feel better, so the person should feel good about what they are wearing.
Laundry
Clothing should be machine washable to the extent possible. Caregivers mean well but they come from a variety of backgrounds – and laundry skills.
Expect that there will be a number of people caring for each resident, and their clothing, throughout the course of the week.
Check with management regarding laundry practices. Who will be doing the laundry, and how often. What will they do if the person has no clean clothes available?
Keep a realistic understanding
Understand that what is brought may well end up in the washer, on a neighbor or in their closet, or who knows where else.
Be prepared to adapt to what may come up as the person’s needs and preferences change with the course of the disease.
Jewelry
Costume jewelry is a wonderful thing to bring to memory care, provided it’s understood that it may become lost. Many people feel better wearing it, and many love to spend time sorting through it.
Wedding rings, or other valuable or irreplaceable jewelry that the person insists on wearing, can be tricky.
As people age they can lose weight, making it easier for rings to fall off. They often hide items like jewelry to “keep it safe”, never to be found again.
Often people wrap small items in tissues and then inadvertently throw them away. One possible solution is to take the ring to be cleaned.
Have the jeweler make a duplicate so that the original can be stored safely and the person can enjoy the feeling of wearing their precious jewelry.
Toiletries
Personal and paper supplies
Typically the resident is responsible for bringing items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes, incontinence supplies and the like. Some facilities will provide these items at an additional cost.
Check with the facility to find out whether toilet paper, tissues, gloves, shampoo or soap or other supplies are provided by the facility and if so, at what cost.
Washcloths and towels
Be sure to confirm with the facility whether they provide bed linens, washcloths or towels.
Over the counter medications and creams
Be sure to connect with staff regarding any over the counter medications, supplements, eye drops, medicated creams or ointments, or other such items that the person may use.
For safety reasons, these types of items are often not allowed to be kept unsecured in the resident rooms.
Telephones
Telephones can be tricky in certain cases. Some people have a tendency to call others without realizing the time or to make inappropriate 911 calls.
Most facilities have telephones available for residents to use. In cases like these, it may make the most sense to skip any in-room phone.
Staff should be able to help dial phone numbers and/or redirect away from the phone as needed.
For some people, telephones represent a great deal of security.
It may be helpful to have a phone with preset numbers if they are used to using one. It should be the actual phone they are used to using if possible.
Most people have difficulty navigating voicemail by this point so it usually should be disabled.
Check with the facility to find out if there is a phone number that family and friends can call to reach staff if they are having difficulty reaching the person directly.
Generally speaking, the person should be allowed to have a personal phone if they want one, so long as there aren’t any current problems.
Should challenges arise later the plan can evolve.
Reading material
Books, newspapers and magazines can be great to bring to memory care. The person may still gain enjoyment from reading them, but even if not they can all be used to reinforce the sense of self.
For certain people seeing a small bookcase with familiar titles or seeing the newspaper that has been part of the breakfast routine for fifty years can be extremely meaningful, and can give others ways to easily connect with the person.
Large picture books on topics of interest can also be a valuable addition.
Keep in mind that there is nothing at all wrong with reading a book and forgetting or reading the same passage over and over, so long as it doesn’t bother the person.
Many people with dementia enjoy the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books. This series is full of inspiring and heartwarming short stories that are easier to follow than longer books.
Spiritual books can be a source of comfort during this extraordinarily difficult period in their life.
Photo albums
Photo albums with labeled pictures are a must. As described above, bear in mind what types of photos will be most personally meaningful to the individual at their current stage of dementia when selecting photo content.
Make copies of photos so the irreplaceable originals aren’t lost or damaged.
Activity Box
A small box or basket full of little things that the person enjoys doing, looking through, or talking about can be a great addition to the person’s collection.
This enables staff and visitors to easily engage them in personally meaningful activity.
Examples of possible items to place in an activity box could include:
Cards with meaningful spiritual passages
Baseball cards
Playing cards
Scented lotions
Manicure supplies
Costume jewelry, scarves
Fabric notions
Yarn
Trivia or joke books
Pictures of family, animals or favorite places
The options are limitless and items in the box can be added or updated as needed.
Music
A simple CD or MP3 player with a collection of favorite music is a must for most memory care residents.
Studies have shown that music stimulates brain function. The brain is able to better function and communicate during, and for a short period after, listening to one’s favorite music.
The music enjoyed in the person’s teens and twenties is typically most effective.
This is true even when people don’t especially consider themselves to be music lovers.
Exceptions
In many cases, the thought of moving can be overwhelming to someone with dementia. In some cases it can be so stressful it is in fact beyond a person’s ability to process.
Often this coincides with cases in which the person doesn’t understand that they need help.
In cases like these, it can sometimes reduce distress and lead to a smoother transition present the move as a temporary situation.
Perhaps it’s a trial or it’s just until some goal is met. The goal would have to make sense to the person, for example:
Just until physical therapy is complete
Until the doctor has adjusted some medication
Until some necessary repair work is completed in the current home
Presenting it this way may help the person be more accepting of the idea of going – although they will not likely like it.
Once he or she has settled into the new place, gets to know the staff, the environment and the routines, the prospect of a permanent stay is much less overwhelming.
If this is the case it may make sense to minimize what items are initially brought. The environment should support the person’s understanding of the situation.
It wouldn’t make sense to bring a bunch of furniture and artwork to a rehab facility. In a case like this, it may be advisable to bring clothing, toiletries, a framed picture for the bedside, a blanket for the bed, et cetera.
Bring a couple more items with each visit, or every couple of days, without making a big deal of it. Soon the person has their familiar items and familiar space.
Be sure to coordinate with facility staff regarding anything that is told to the resident so he or she can hear consistent information from all sources.
The staff may have good ideas and insight on how to alleviate stress from the move and achieve the smoothest possible results as well.
Depending on the part of the brain that has been affected, a majority of dementias are either considered to exhibit cortical or subcortical patterns.
Initially, subcortical dementia was described in 1912. However, the term was not used until 1970.
Cortical dementia, on the other hand, accounts for the highest number of dementia cases (between 60-80%).
Various studies indicate that there are some prominent differences between cortical and subcortical dementia.
Both qualitative and quantitative differences exist across several cognitive domains like memory, visuospatial abilities, executive functions, attention, and semantic knowledge.
Let’s look at some of the disparities between the two groups of dementias below.
Definition
Cortical dementia describes the types of dementia that develop as a result of disorders that affect the cerebral cortex in the brain.
This is the outermost layer of the brain responsible for several essential functions like language, memory, creativity, abstraction, emotion, attention and judgment.
The illnesses that are progressive in nature starts to cause changes in the brain before the symptoms start showing up.
Experts believe that the illness brings about an increase in the number of lesions in the brain, which then leads to complications like personality changes and loss of memory.
Subcortical dementias represent the types of dementias that showcase themselves without any language or memory problems in individuals who have Alzheimer’s disease.
Disorders that affect the section of the brain that is below the cerebral cortex cause this dementia.
The regions of the brain that this type of dementia affects include the midbrain, striatum, thalamus, and striatofrontal projections.
In most cases, persons who get subcortical dementia display challenges with concentration, attention, and motor function.
Causes Cortical and Subcortical Dementia
Cortical dementia as aforementioned, occurs where there are problems with the cerebral cortex.
Additionally, it is primarily associated with the gray matter in the brain, which mainly consists of nerve cells.
Persons who develop this type of dementia experience serious memory loss issues where they cannot understand language or remember words.
Examples of cortical dementia include Creutzfeldt-Jakob and Alzheimer’s disease.
Subcortical dementia, on the other hand, is brought about when there are problems in the part of the brain located under the cortex.
This is mostly associated with the white matter of the brain that predominantly consists of axons that are in charge of transmitting signals.
Individuals who have this type of dementia typically show changes in their ability to start activities and speed of thinking. HIV, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease are possible causes of this dementia type.
Some studies also suggest that prolonged alcohol abuse may be the cause of subcortical dementia.
This is because persons who are diagnosed with alcohol dependence have a significant reduction in the brain’s white matter and the weight of the brain also becomes lighter.
Features of Cortical and Subcortical Dementia
Both dementias showcase different features that further explain their main differences like:
Basic function deficit
With cortical dementia, you can expect specific deficits like aphasia, which is an impairment of language that affects comprehension or production of speech and the ability to write and read.
Apraxia affects motor function and agnosia, which affects the ability to process sensory information.
Subcortical dementia presents progressive supra-nuclear palsy, a syndrome that can lead to severe problems with eye movement, balance, swallowing, mood and walking, etc.
Memory impairment
Persons with cortical dementia will often experience learning deficits and poor recognition. Individuals with subcortical dementia do not go through severe memory loss issues.
Caregivers and loved ones can use cues to help the affected individuals recall information without too much difficulty.
Motor Symptoms
Cortical dementia does not showcase any motor symptoms, especially in the early stages of the illness. Motor speed also remains relatively healthy, but it might change at a later course.
Problems with motor symptoms are common with subcortical dementia that presents extrapyramidal symptoms that can include continuous muscle contractions and spasms also known as dystonia, motor restlessness, rigidity, slowness of movement, and tremor amongst others.
Speech
Individuals with subcortical dementia, for the most part, will have normal speech while it may be slow or abnormal in cortical dementia cases.
Symptom Profile
Cortical and subcortical dementia have different sets of symptoms.
Clinically, cortical dementia exhibits symptoms that are suggestive of abnormalities with various cortical functions like amnesia and language issues.
With subcortical dementia, the symptoms will manifest mainly as poor abstraction, issues in recall, mood disorders, and problems with strategy formation. Other symptoms to look into include:
Memory
Memory dysfunctions tend to occur in both groups of dementia.
Studies, however, propose that the nature of memory impairment is different in subcortical and cortical dementia.
Cortical dementia showcases more severe memory loss, which is depicted by difficulties in recalling information and learning new details.
When it comes to subcortical dementia, things are not black and white.
While there is evidence of challenges with procedural learning, the impairment is not uniform in regards to all kinds of perceptomotor learning.
For example, a person who has Parkinson’s disease might have issues with skill or habit learning but have no problem in intact learning tasks such as artificial grammar and dot pattern prototype.
Memory loss patterns also come into play when differentiating these two forms of dementia.
With cortical dementia, recent literature indicates that memory impairment evolution happens in a temporal gradient, which results in progressive or extensive remote memory loss.
This is especially true for autobiographical memory.
On the contrary, the memory loss pattern in subcortical dementia is considered to be a lot more diverse. The specific type of dementia will determine the memory loss pattern.
For instance, persons who have Parkinson’s disease normally have challenges when dating events in the past.
Note that memory decline is faster in Parkinson’s dementia than in AD as reported by Selective Reminding Test and Boston naming test.
It is also important to point out that with subcortical dementias, learning impairments are subject to correction with the use of more prominent aid recognition cues.
Executive Functions
Executive functions usually involve the frontal lobes and other subcortical structures. This means that it is only natural for executive function problems to be present in both subcortical and cortical dementia.
This, however, happens at a different rate.
AD is normally characterized by the impairment of various executive functions like problem-solving and concept formation.
Persons who have cortical dementia will experience impaired elementary calculation skills earlier than those who have subcortical dementia.
Persons with cortical dementia also remain alert for more extended periods than those with subcortical dementia.
Language
Several studies indicate that the language problem is often seen in cortical dementia.
Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease exhibit several progressive language issues. These normally start with an inability to recall names of familiar objects before it deteriorates to terminal language syndrome.
Prognosis of Cortical and Subcortical Dementia
The prognosis of cortical and subcortical dementia also significantly varies. Because different types of dementias fall under these two categories, multiple factors commonly affect prognosis.
Among these include general health, age of onset, and other illnesses that the person suffers from. These can affect not only prognosis but life expectancy as well.
Treatment
Currently, there is no specific cure for both cortical and subcortical dementia.
However, a majority of the disorders that are listed for the two groups of dementia will respond to appropriate treatment.
These can include different types of medication and other alternative therapies that can help to slow down the progression of the illness.
Lifestyle changes can also help to improve the life quality of people who are experiencing different types of dementia.
Closing Thoughts
Understanding the differences between the two main groups of dementias is essential because it helps to create a better understanding of how the brain behaves regarding neurodegenerative illnesses.
This can also help medics improve the ability to differentiate multiple dementia disorders clinically.
There is also a need for more clinical studies that will examine the differences between subcortical dementia and cortical dementia. These are bound to give a clearer picture of the factors that distinguish the two forms of dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Association indicates that about 90% of the information available about dementia has been discovered in under twenty years.
Experts in the industry continue to do more research, tests, and studies on this disease that affects millions of people in different parts of the globe.
Fresh information may continue to roll out detailing the differences or similarities of cortical and subcortical dementia so that people can get a better understanding of these illnesses.
As dementia progresses, it can affect a person’s language skills to the extent that they are not able to express when they are in pain.
Some affected persons may not even remember how they hurt themselves or the source of their pain which adds to the challenges of trying to communicate about their pain.
Caregivers should, therefore, know how to detect when a person is suffering from dementia and pain so that it can be treated as soon as possible.
Because persons with dementia will experience pain differently, at times it may be possible to ask directly whether a person is in pain.
This is where you shoot direct questions like “does it hurt”, “are you in pain? “ “Is it sore?” and they will give you an answer.
However, when a person is not able to communicate how they are feeling, perhaps because they have advanced dementia, their behaviors might give you a clue when they are experiencing pain.
Some of the behaviors include social withdrawal or becoming increasingly agitated. Other non-verbal cues that a person may use to communicate that they are in pain or distress include:
Facial Expressions
Some signs on a person’s face that may be an indication they are in pain include clenching teeth, distorted expressions, wrinkled forehead, rapid blinking, tightened or closed eyes, grimacing, frightened or sad face.
This may tell you that a person may be suffering from a combination of dementia and pain.
Body Movements
Some changes in body movement might also be a way of communicating that an individual is in pain.
This is where a person might start fidgeting, pacing, guarding a certain part of the body, rigid, have a tense body posture, or experience restricted movement as well as mobility or gait changes.
Changes in Emotions or Thinking
When a person with dementia is crying, highly irritable, confused, become combative, aggressive, resists care, or have decreased social interactions, it may mean that they are feeling pain.
Physical Changes
At times, a person with increased sweating, blood pressure, and heart rate may be experiencing pain.
The same person might also be reluctant to move or experience slow movement or a limited range of motion.
Vocalizations
Although a person may not clearly say they are in pain, there are some verbalizations they can use to express how they are feeling.
This can include being verbally abusive, cursing, asking for assistance, grunting, calling out, chanting, noisy breathing, groaning, moaning, or sighing.
Tips for Avoiding Common Causes of Pain for Persons with Dementia
Because pain is easier to prevent than relieve, there are some tips that you can work with to help avoid some common pain causes like:
Ensuring clothes fit right
Checking to see if dentures fit well as well as practicing good oral and dental hygiene
Making certain that the ill person has appropriate and comfortable footwear
Regularly checking assistive devices like eyewear and hearing aids to ensure that they are properly working and fit well
Encouraging gentle movement of all limbs by stretching and bending frequently
Visiting the doctor if there is a slight change in behavior so that whatever is disturbing a person may be caught early
Managing Pain for Individuals with Dementia
When you suspect that a person is going through dementia and pain, it is advisable to seek medical attention.
Doctors have special tools that they can use to detect pain in seniors who have dementia.
The health care workers are also in the best position to prescribe appropriate pain medication depending on the cause of pain.
Some of the drugs that doctors may prescribe include opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, laxatives, and analgesics.
There are also non-drug therapies that can help with dementia and pain.
Depending on doctor’s instructions they can be implemented alone or in combination with pain alleviating drugs.
If a person needs to be on long-term pain management, you can always consult different professionals like tissue viability nurses, a general practitioner, physiotherapist, or a pain specialist team in your locality to get expert advice on effective pain management strategies.
Consequences of Not Treating Pain for Persons with Dementia
When a person develops dementia and pain, some consequences that may arise when the pain goes undetected and untreated.
The most obvious is that the affected person will end up suffering unnecessarily.
The individuals may also receive inappropriate treatment in a bid to curb some of the behavioral changes they may adapt. For instance, a person may be put on antidepressants when chronic pain results in depression.
A person going through persistent pain may also experience decreased mobility which may affect the quality of life in the long-run.
Experts also agree that pain can affect thinking and other functions of the brain which can lead to worsening of dementia symptoms.
This is why it is crucial to recognize and treat any form of pain that a person with dementia may have before it results in poor medical outcomes and other proud negative implications in their lives.
Because dementia is an incurable disease, there is one pertinent question that many ask and that is how do dementia patients die?
Before answering this question it is important to note that in many countries Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia have been documented as the leading cause of death in the country, especially for the older generation.
According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, deaths due to dementia doubled from 40,253 in 2007 to 87, 199 in 2017 and the trend does not appear to change anytime soon.
In America, dementia is the 6th leading cause of death and currently, millions of people are living with the disease.
World Health Organization estimates that the number of dementia deaths across the globe will increase by more than 40% from 2015 to 2030.
How Does Dementia Lead to Death?
Before a person dies from dementia, there are a couple of warning signs they may showcase as discussed below.
Terminal restlessness or agitation because a person becomes extremely disoriented and confused
Difficulties in breathing
Legs, arms, feet, and hands become cold to touch
To get back to answering the query do dementia patients die, many experts agree that the actual death of an individual who has dementia may be due to another medical condition.
During the later stages of dementia, the affected person is likely to be in a trailer.
This implies that their immunity is compromised, hence they cannot effectively cope with physical problems or infections.
Several factors can lead to the death of a person who has dementia such as
Lack of Proper Nutrition
Food acts as fuel for the human body. When the body is not getting proper nutrition, there is a likelihood that an array of problems will start developing.
This is what happens during the later dementia stages.
Many may not be in a position to prepare or eat food without assistance. This may cause them to go off food which can make them dangerously lose weight.
Some individuals will also lose muscle control towards the end of the disease where they cannot chew properly or even swallow food.
When the individual is not getting adequate nourishment, they become weaker and are more susceptible to the risk of infections, fractures, and falls which may lead to their demise.
There are also chances that a person with dementia may end up inhaling fluids or foods. It mostly happens because they lose the skill to coordinate breathing and swallowing because of the damage that happens in the brain which controls these activities.
When this happens, it can lead to life-threatening chest infections and choking.
Existing Diseases
When you ask how do dementia patients die, the answer might be because of other co-existing diseases.
A huge percentage of people with dementia also suffer from other chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, and hypertension amongst others.
It can become challenging to try and manage dementia with other illnesses so it becomes easy for a person to experience the complications associated with these conditions which can lead them to their last breath.
Several studies reveal that people within the last stage of dementia become vulnerable to all sorts of medical conditions.
Autopsies often reveal that the main cause of death for persons with dementia are pneumonia, dehydration, cardiovascular diseases, cachexia, and pulmonary embolism.
Other facts that may contribute to dementia deaths include increased falls, advanced age, and delirium.
Closing Thoughts
Sadly dementia does not only make a person forgetful and weak. It is a serious progressive condition that is terminal.
Reading the text above will reveal answers to the question on how do dementia patients die.