STAGE 1: NO SIGNS OF DECLINE
The only way to detect dementia this early is if tests are run by a doctor that reveal the beginnings of dementia.
What Happens During Dementia?
Kim Trevey on
If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you’re probably asking a lot of questions.
What exactly is dementia?
Is it the same as Alzheimer’s?
What symptoms come with a dementia diagnosis?
And, what happens during dementia?
What should I know about memory care?
When should I consider a memory care facility?
With this often misunderstood diagnosis, it’s understandable you would be asking these questions.
Dementia itself is not a specific disease but refers to a general loss of memory, language, or problem-solving skills and other difficulties associated with the part of the brain that controls these functions.
The effects of dementia reveal themselves more slowly over time. There are generally seven stages that move from mild to severe.
Is Dementia the Same as Alzheimer’s Disease?
Dementia is not the same as Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is an umbrella term that includes Alzheimer’s disease as well as vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia.
Alzheimer’s makes up 60-80% of dementia cases, so the two are often confused.
What Are the Symptoms of Dementia?
Symptoms of dementia include short-term memory loss, confusion, misplacing items, forgetting appointments, struggles with communicating, among others. Symptoms vary depending on the person, medical history, and current health status.
What Causes Dementia?
Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. Typically this damage is irreversible and deteriorates over time until brain cells can no longer communicate with one another, causing severe loss of basic functions such as walking and eating. Sometimes what is thought to be a dementia symptom like memory loss, is instead caused by depression, a medication side effect, a thyroid problem, or a vitamin deficiency, in which case the damage is usually reversible with treatment.
Dementia can be broken down into two categories: cortical dementia and subcortical dementia.
Cortical dementia
Cortical dementia affects the outer layer of the brain, known as the cerebral cortex. This causes problems with memory and language because the cerebral cortex is largely responsible for these functions. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of cortical dementia.
Subcortical dementia
Subcortical dementia affects parts of the brain beneath the cortex.
People with this type of dementia may not experience the same language and memory problems as those with cortical dementia, but they will have problems with starting activities, or they may suffer from slower than usual thinking.
What Happens During Dementia?
Dementia works in stages.
Someone with dementia will not suddenly lose her short-term memory or show severe language impairment. The effects of dementia reveal themselves more slowly over time. There are generally seven stages that move from mild to severe.
The 7 Stages of Dementia – Mild to Severe
STAGE 2: VERY MILD DECLINE
Your loved one is still able to live independently but you will notice signs of decline in their memory, speech, or language.
STAGE 3: MILD DECLINE
You will notice more issues with your loved one’s memory, planning skills, and reasoning. They may start to repeat themselves at this stage.
STAGE 4: MODERATE DECLINE
Remembering recent events (short-term memory) will become more difficult at this stage.
STAGE 5: MODERATELY SEVERE DECLINE
At this stage, a person will have more obvious challenges with memory, forgetting things like their grandchild’s name, what day it is, or what time it is. This is when everyday assistance may be needed.
STAGE 6: SEVERE DECLINE
Memory loss becomes more severe at this stage. Many people may forget their spouse’s name, and they will probably need help going to the bathroom, eating, and walking.
STAGE 7: VERY SEVERE DECLINE
At this stage, your loved one will no longer be able to speak clearly or walk on his own. He will need assistance with all activities of daily living.
Is There a Cure for Dementia?
Dementia can be incredibly difficult for the person diagnosed as well as the caretaker as you brace yourself for each stage of decline. That is the nature of the degenerative disease.
But just because dementia—and the diseases that fall under its umbrella—are degenerative, does not mean there isn’t hope for those who have them.
As mentioned earlier, some cases of dementia are reversible. Tumors, thyroid imbalance, hormonal imbalance—all of these can cause dementia but are treatable illnesses. When the tumor is removed or balance is restored to the body, the dementia symptoms will go away.
In addition, the FDA recently approved a drug for Alzheimer’s disease called Aduhelm. It’s the first FDA-approved drug for Alzheimer’s in several decades. Aduhelm is a drug infusion that may lessen the build-up of plaque in the brain that is associated with memory loss. Unfortunately, this drug has not been shown to have any significant effect on cognition.
Usually, doctors will try and treat or reduce the symptoms of whatever is causing their dementia. Proper nutrition, exercise, and a strong sense of community are all helpful for people with various forms of dementia. While they are not a cure, they are something any caretaker, friend, or family member can offer a loved one who has been diagnosed with memory loss.
To learn more about dementia, Alzheimer’s, and how you can help your loved one, visit our resources page here.
