What Is Dementia?

Dementia is a general term for a progressive decline in mental ability that can affect a person’s day-to-day life. It describes a range of symptoms that can impact memory, language, reasoning and other thinking skills.

There are many different conditions that can cause dementia, the most prevalent of which being Alzheimer’s disease. It is mostly associated with older adults, though some forms can also affect younger individuals. Most types of dementia are progressive, meaning that symptoms can change over time.

At KYN, we offer compassionate, holistic dementia care, placing an emphasis on honouring the individual and their unique experience. In this guide, we’ll provide an overview of what dementia is, including its causes, symptoms and treatments.

Understanding Dementia

Understanding dementia means recognising that it is not a single disease, but a collection of symptoms that result from damage to the brain. There are over 400 different forms of dementia, and though they all differ, they are all marked by decreased cognitive ability.

We often think of memory loss when we talk about dementia, but the condition can also affect people in a wide variety of other ways, including changes in behaviour, mood and ability to carry out daily tasks.

In the UK, there are currently over 900,000 people living with some form of dementia. It is most common in those over 65 years old. However, there are some types that appear in younger people (45 -55 years old), known as young onset dementia.

What Are the Causes of Dementia?

Dementia is associated with damage to brain cells (neurones), which impairs their ability to send messages to one another. In turn, this affects the brain’s ability to perform certain tasks, resulting in dementia symptoms.

As dementia is a progressive condition, more and more neurons are compromised over time. This means the affected brain areas shrink and symptoms get progressively worse in the later stages of dementia.

Different types of dementia are caused by different things. For example, Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a buildup of harmful proteins called tau and beta-amyloid. Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often as a result of a stroke or series of small strokes. But it is not always clear why some people develop dementia and others do not.

How Can We Recognise the Symptoms of Dementia?

Everyone experiences dementia differently. How someone experiences dementia can depend on a variety of factors, such as:

• The type of dementia they have
• What stage of dementia they are currently experiencing
• The area of the brain that was first affected.
• Their previous and current lifestyle
• How well their symptoms are managed.

In general, dementia affects someone’s thinking ability, memory, and behaviour. People living with dementia can become confused, disorientated, and have difficulty with time and place. They might get up in the middle of the night, confuse faces or surroundings or get worried that they should be elsewhere.

They might also have difficulty concentrating or completing tasks they used to be able to do. Additionally, a person may be affected by changes in mood, such as becoming agitated, anxious or depressed.

Recognising the symptoms of dementia can be difficult, especially in the early stages. The symptoms can often be subtle and may not be immediately obvious. As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more apparent and severe.

How Does Dementia Affect Memory?

Many types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are particularly associated with memory problems. Dementia often initially affects a person's short-term memory, much more noticeably than usual ageing would.

For example, a person with dementia may lose track of what has been said in a conversation, ask for the same information over and over, or rely on memory aids or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

As time goes on, individuals living with dementia may also begin to struggle with their long-term memory. They may forget people, places or events from their life, which can be upsetting for them and their loved ones.

Memory loss is one of the most common early signs of dementia. However, it may not be a significant symptom for everyone living with dementia. It largely depends upon which area of the brain has been affected.

What Are the Behavioural Changes in Dementia?

Some symptoms of dementia can affect an individual’s mood, behaviour and personality. This may be directly related to neural damage or may be a secondary symptom caused by the condition affecting other areas of the person’s life.

Some people living with dementia may experience anger, irritability or become extremely agitated, whereas others might be more withdrawn and introverted. Mood swings, hallucinations, depression and anxiety are some of the most common behavioural and personality changes. In addition to these changes, communication can get harder and someone with dementia will talk and engage less. They might also lose their ability to read, write and speak coherently.

Behavioural changes in dementia can be one of the most difficult aspects for both the person living with dementia and their caregivers. It's important to remember that these experiences are a result of the condition and not a reflection of the person's character.

How Is Dementia Diagnosed?

Getting an early dementia diagnosis is important. For some types of dementia there are treatments that can help slow the progression of dementia in its early stages. An early diagnosis can also give you and your family more time to plan future care, legal and financial responsibilities.

Diagnosing dementia typically begins with the person or their loved ones noticing symptoms such as confusion or memory loss. The person’s GP will then examine their medical and family history and arrange for various tests. Typically, this involves cognitive and physical assessments, as well as interviews with the person experiencing symptoms and their family members.

In some cases, brain imaging scans and physical tests (such as bloodwork) may be used. The primary goal of these tests is to rule out other potential causes of symptoms and to determine the type and extent of the cognitive impairment.

How Can We Provide Dementia Care?

Caring for someone with dementia can be rewarding and demanding, and their care needs will change and grow over time. The person may require help with various aspects of daily living, such as:

• Getting into and out of bed
• Personal hygiene
• Eating, drinking and preparing meals
• Cleaning, laundry and other household tasks
• Managing their money and paying bills
• Running errands, such as shopping
• Taking medication
• Communicating and remembering things

Beyond their immediate care needs, you will also have to consider which future care option will be most suitable for your loved one and start to get their affairs in order.

As far as treatments are concerned, unfortunately there is no cure for dementia yet. There are certain medicines that can help slow the progression of some types of dementia, but for the most part, dementia care is focused on managing symptoms. This may include support groups, reminiscence work and evidence-based practices such as art therapy and cognitive stimulation therapy.

It is important that as a career of someone living with dementia you have a good support network around you and that you try to balance your care responsibilities with time for yourself. When your loved one is no longer able to live at home, care homes for dementia can help provide a more advanced level of support. For more information, visit our Dementia Care page.

What Does the Future Hold for Dementia?

The future of dementia research is promising. Scientists are working hard to understand more about the causes of dementia, how it progresses, and how it can be prevented or treated. There are also many clinical trials underway, testing new treatments and approaches to care.

In the meantime, there are many things that can be done to support people with dementia and their families, from providing high-quality care to promoting awareness and understanding.

At KYN, we believe in the importance of taking a person-focused, holistic approach to dementia care, considering the person as a unique individual rather than solely their symptoms. Enquire today to find out more about our dementia care homes and request a brochure.