Dementia Signs & Symptoms

Dementia is a broad description which includes many different symptoms such as memory loss, word-finding difficulties, impaired judgment, and problems with day-to-day activities, which are caused by injury or loss of brain cells (neurons). It isn’t a specific disease, for example Alzheimer’s, but several different diseases may cause dementia.

Signs and symptoms of dementia are varied, but typically include:

Cognitive changes:

Memory loss, which is usually noticed by a spouse or someone else
Difficulty communicating or finding words
Difficulty with visual and spatial abilities, such as getting lost while driving
Difficulty reasoning or problem-solving
Difficulty handling complex tasks
Difficulty with planning and organizing
Difficulty with coordination and motor functions
Confusion and disorientation

Psychological changes:

Personality changes
Depression
Anxiety
Inappropriate behavior
Paranoia
Agitation
Hallucinations

Caring for a friend or loved one with dementia poses many challenges for families and caregivers. You can’t interact with your loved one with dementia like you interact with others. You must learn a new way to communicate. Once you learn this new way of communicating, your situation will significantly improve.

Most importantly, you need to stop trying to argue, correct, reason, and rationalize with your loved one with dementia. The more you try to explain, the more frustrated you and your loved one become.

In order to know the best way to respond to your loved one with dementia, you have to take the time to view things from their perspective. Remember, their brains are slowly dying and they are not able to understand much of the information that we are so fortunate to understand.

Your nonverbal behavior becomes more important than ever. You are basically a mirror to your loved one. Whatever emotion you are showing on your face, will be the emotion your loved one with dementia shows back to you. If you look stressed, nervous or frustrated, then your loved one with dementia will likely be stressed, nervous, or frustrated.

HELPFUL STRATEGIES for CAREGIVERS

Set a positive mood for interaction. Your attitude and body language communicate your feelings and thoughts more strongly than your words do.
State your message clearly. Use simple words and sentences. Speak slowly, distinctly, and in a reassuring tone.
Avoid asking questions. If you must, ask simple, answerable questions. Ask one question at a time; those with yes or no answers work best. Refrain from asking open-ended questions or giving too many choices.
Listen with your ears, eyes, and heart. Be patient in waiting for your loved one’s reply.
Break down activities into a series of steps. This makes many tasks much more manageable.
When the going gets tough, distract and redirect. If your loved one becomes upset or agitated, try changing the subject or the environment.
Respond with affection and reassurance. People with dementia often feel confused, anxious, and unsure of themselves. Further, they often get reality confused and may recall things that never really occurred. Avoid trying to convince them they are wrong. Stay focused on the feelings they are demonstrating (which are real) and respond with verbal and physical expressions of comfort, support, and reassurance
Maintain your sense of humor. Use humor when possible, though not at the person’s expense.
Try to accommodate the behavior, not control the behavior. For example, if the person insists on sleeping on the floor, place a mattress on the floor to make him more comfortable.
Remember that we can change our behavior or the physical environment.
Behavior has a purpose. People with dementia typically cannot tell us what they want or need. Always consider what need the person might be trying to meet with their behavior—and, when possible, try to accommodate them.

SEE ARTICLE ON CONTENTED DEMENTIA for a new understanding and approach to this subject.

CARING FOR YOURSELF

Many dementia caregivers struggle with taking time out for themselves. In their mind they think that taking time for themselves is selfish and makes them a bad caregiver. The complete opposite of that is true. Taking time for yourself is actually one of the best things you can do for your loved one with dementia!

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

See a doctor if you or a loved one has memory problems or other dementia symptoms. Some treatable medical conditions can cause dementia symptoms, so it’s important to determine the underlying cause. There may be medications to help treat some of the symptoms you observe.

Below are some helpful web sites and short videos that are very instructive and practical, including more information on handling difficult behavior.

https://www.caregiver.org/caregivers-guide-understanding-dementia-behaviors
https://www.youtube.com/c/DementiaCareblazers/videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcei7IGu6xQ (Top dementia caregiving lessons to bring into 2021)

Sources:

Family Caregiver Alliance; and the Mayo Clinic site.

2/15/2021