Here at Bethesda Gardens Loveland, we believe knowledge is the key to understanding dementia and helping seniors live vibrantly.
Dementia isn't a normal aspect of aging. It's a blanket term for the collective symptoms people often experience because of cognitive illness or injuries that have damaged the brain. Many of the signs of dementia can be mistaken for issues commonly experienced by older adults, which is why seniors and their families need to educate themselves on the differences.
Dementia can affect decision-making abilities, behavior, speech and memory. To be diagnosed, an older adult must have issues in these areas that interfere with their daily quality of life. Many medical issues have symptoms that mimic dementia, including medication side effects, thyroid disorders, poor nutrition and infections.
Health care professionals can run tests to rule out other issues and diagnose dementia. Seniors should speak with their medical providers about their questions and concerns so they can begin receiving the correct treatment and care.
Memory loss is generally seen as the first sign of dementia, and seniors may worry it's a cause for alarm when they forget something.
As adults age, the body naturally slows down, and the mind also experiences minor changes. Many individuals notice that multitasking and learning new skills become more difficult as they enter their 40s and 50s. Typical signs of aging include:
Older adults usually have more difficulty completing everyday activities than when they were younger. These issues are typically mild or infrequent.
Dementia symptoms, however, regularly interfere with daily life, making it hard or impossible for seniors to complete certain actions safely, such as driving or preparing dinner.
It isn't uncommon for an older adult to forget things occasionally or need to be reminded of something new to them, including how to use a recently purchased appliance or the name of a neighbor who moved in.
An individual with dementia, however, often repeatedly forgets things they've just been told or asks multiple times a day if a door is locked or the dog has been fed. They may also do unusual things, such as store keys and remotes in the refrigerator.
As seniors age, they may have a harder time following conversations with multiple people talking at once. They may forget a word or have to focus harder to keep up with what's being said.
Possible signs of dementia in seniors include frequently dropping out of conversations because they can't think of the words or information they're trying to convey. They may find conversations difficult to join, become distracted easily and be unable to follow the topic.
It isn't unusual for an older adult to feel a little disoriented when walking around in an unfamiliar location. Normally, however, they can overcome the brief confusion and figure out the right path to take to their goal. An example of this would be a senior exploring a new park and having trouble locating the picnic tables, but then figuring out where to go after some thought.
Memory care communities, such as Bethesda Gardens in Loveland, CO, design interiors for ease of navigation because elderly residents with dementia can get lost even in places they know well.
Outside doors and courtyards are secured to ensure these individuals can safely enjoy the fresh air outdoors without their families worrying about them getting confused and wandering off.
Poor eyesight isn't uncommon for many older adults. Eyeglass prescriptions may need to be altered to adjust for changes in their eyes. They may develop cataracts or other issues that diminish their vision.
Poor perception, however, can sometimes be a sign of dementia. Seniors may have difficulty judging distance, making it hard to reach for and pick up an object or walk down the steps on their front porch. It isn't uncommon for shadows and reflections to confuse individuals with cognitive issues, increasing their confusion and anxiety in dimly lit rooms and areas with glaring lights.
Dementia symptoms vary between individuals — even those who have the same cognitive illness, such as Alzheimer's. Behavioral issues are also often observed in older adults with dementia, but many of the symptoms are similar to those of depression, stress and insomnia.
Neither seniors nor their families should attempt to gauge whether they have dementia. Only medical providers can diagnose the condition because they can run tests to confirm the issue and rule out other potential medical problems.
