Dementia is often thought of as a single condition that causes memory loss in seniors. However, dementia is more of an umbrella term for several medical conditions that follow different paths and generate varying symptoms. The following six types of dementia are the most common to affect seniors.
1. Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia in seniors, and most people are familiar with its symptoms of memory loss and confusion that occur slowly over time. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but the progression of the symptoms can be slowed with medication and paying careful attention to a senior’s health.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Embrace In-Home Care, a leading provider of home care Green Valley, Arizona, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
2. Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is related to the vascular system of the brain. Although this type of dementia occurs slowly as a person ages, it can also happen after blood flow is suddenly restricted to the brain, such as following a stroke attack. People with vascular dementia may also experience visual disturbances such as hallucinations.
3. Parkinson’s Disease-Related Dementia
The later stages of Parkinson’s disease often bring on a type of dementia. Seniors with Parkinson’s who develop dementia symptoms may have difficulty learning new things or making sense of visual information. As the condition progresses, Parkinson’s dementia can also cause personality changes such as irritability and confusion that interferes with the ability to maintain relationships. When this happens, caregivers must practice compassion when helping their loved ones manage the new challenges.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional senior care. Green Valley families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
4. Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy bodies are abnormal deposits of protein that develop in brain cells. With these deposits in the way, communication among the cells is interrupted, leading to a variety of different symptoms that go beyond the usual memory loss associated with dementia. For instance, a senior with lewy body dementia may fall asleep randomly in the middle of the day. Fainting, hallucinations, and difficulty walking are a few more symptoms associated with this condition.
5. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is extremely rare. The cognitive symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are similar to what occurs with other kinds of dementia, but the person may also exhibit other issues such as muscle twitching and stiffness.
6. Mixed Dementia
At times, a person can have several types of dementia at once. Typically, this involves situations such as having the abnormal deposits in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease that are further complicated by the issues involved with the vascular type. The symptoms of mixed dementia can vary according to the different regions of the brain that are affected, and it may not always be possible to identify all of the types involved. However, helping seniors manage the symptoms of memory loss and confusion increases their wellbeing.
Caring for a senior with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. Luckily, there is dementia care Green Valley families can rely on. Professional dementia caregivers help seniors with dementia stay safe and comfortable at home by preventing wandering, providing cognitive stimulation, and assisting with household chores. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your aging parent, call Embrace In-Home Care at (520) 625-2050 today.