Dementia affects everyone differently

Dementia is a term to describe a decline in cognitive abilities. Dementia is a group of symptoms caused by a disease such as Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia. Other causes of dementia is vascular dementai, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia.

Research shows Alzheimer's disease biomarkers found amyloid changes can begin as much as 15 before noticeable changes. 

This is a very important question. Understanding early symptoms can result in early treatment and better outcomes. Early symptoms that could indicate cognitive changes can include loss of smell, difficulty with vision and depth perception, falling victim to a scam due to problems with judgement and decision making. Other symptoms can be changes in mood, increased anxiety, social withdrawal, loss of interest in hobbies and difficulty finding words.

People with dementia have difficulty storing new information. The person repeats the question because they can not recall the answer to the question, even if you continue to repeat the answer. This is very stressful and frustrating to you, but learning to Listen to the emotion and feeling behind the repetitive question (is the person anxious or fearful missed breakfast?) will help you answer with empathy, understanding. They may really be hungry and suggesting a snack together will solve the issue. It is very important to show dignity and respect, to the person, and a reasonable question always deserves a reasonable answer. 

During the progression of dementia, even some only term memories fade.Long-term memory stores early memories and as ofter are about to good times. Because the person has difficulty following  conversations, telling the stories over and over again to stay connected to others.

Often, parts of the story may be missing in their memory, and they are simply filling in the blanks so the story flows.

People with dementia often sleep more due to disruptions in their circadian rhythm, brain damage, medication side effects, and psychological factors. These factors can cause daytime drowsiness, Excessive napping can also be a result of lack of stimulation and boredom. Daytime napping can disrupt nighttime sleep, so it is important to keep the person engaged throughout the day.

This of course is not the case with all persons with dementia. However, some people with dementia may resist showering due to cognitive decline, sensory sensitivities, and emotional factors. They might forget the need to bathe, fear falling or the sensation of water, or feel embarrassed about needing assistance. Addressing these concerns with patience, empathy, and adapting care routines can help make showering a more positive experience..

People with dementia may resist changing clothes due to various factors including cognitive decline, sensory changes, and emotional distress. They might not recognize the need to change, struggle with the physical act of changing, or find comfort in familiar clothing. Additionally, emotional responses like embarrassment or anxiety can play a role..

People with dementia may stop eating due to a combination of physical, cognitive, and environmental factors. These can include changes in taste and smell, difficulty swallowing, cognitive decline affecting the recognition of food, medication side effects, and even environmental factors like a stressful mealtime environment.

People with dementia may not want to go out due to a combination of factors including confusion, anxiety, and physical limitations. They may struggle with disorientation, memory loss, and communication difficulties, making unfamiliar environments overwhelming and anxiety-provoking. Additionally, physical changes like mobility issues can make outings challenging and tiring

Sometimes a person with dementia will stop taking part in activities or conversation as much as they used to, or at all. This can happen when a person is aware that they are finding certain things more difficult to do. For example, they might keep losing the thread of conversations or have trouble expressing themselves.

They may also find too much stimulation distressing, such as being in a noisy room with lots of people. People with dementia may also become more withdrawn over time as they socialize and communicate less.

People with dementia often lose or misplace common items, such as glasses or the remote, or put an item somewhere for safekeeping and then forget where it is. They may also leave items in unusual places – for example, putting the dog's bowl in the refrigerator, or their shoes.  You may discover a muffin under the pillow, because they thought they might want a midnight snack and forgets about the treat.

Loss of inhibitions is more common in certain types of dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD) which causes damage to the frontal lobes resulting in poor impulse control and the ability to filter comments and will say exactly what they are thinking.

The memory of the loss of the parent may have faded and they do not recall the death. Telling them the parent is decease is cruel, as the person will be hearing the news as if for the first time. Often they are thinking of a childhood memory and just want to talk about their mother or father.  A simple response might be "Your mother was such a great cook. The smell of her cookies baking make me smile. Let's go sit on the porch and have a cookie together." Spend that time with memories of childhood, cousins, and grandparents.

Out of boredom and lack of stimulation, people with dementia may seem apathetic and unmotivated to even do things they once enjoyed. Because thinking and reasoning skills are affected by the changes in the brain, they are unable to recall places or hobbies they once enjoyed. Getting the person out of the house on a regular basis, if nothing but a care ride or to get ice cream, the person is more comfortable leaving the house and it will decrease the fear of leaving the home.

A person with dementia may frequently follow a person around the house seeking reassurance or support. Rather than telling them what to do (Please stop following me!) Try telling the person what you will do. "I going to sit outside for a few minutes and I will be right back."

Struggling to understand the passage of time, the father may be experiencing "time-shifting" where he feels he is living in a different era. The father may see himself as a thirty-year old husband and the adult daughter may look like her mother during that time period. He has not memory of how his wife looks as a 80 year old like himself, and mistakes the daughter for his wife.

Dementia significantly impacts a person sense of time, leading to disorientation and confusion. The need for safety is important for their well-being, and not understanding you will return, the person may feel abandoned. Dementia also impact their ability to show empathy, and they do not see