Dementia
Dementia is a loss of mental ability memory, judgment, and ability to think. While there are numerous causes of dementia, Alzheimer's disease is the most common. For someone with dementia, life is confusing; it's difficult to remember so many things; personality may change. Medication can help control behavior problems, and some drugs can slow the rate of decline.
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- Q How can I help someone with dementia choose what to wear?
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When caring for someone with dementia, choose comfortable, washable clothing with elastic waists rather than potentially confusing buttons, hooks, snaps, and ties. Lay out clothes in the order in which they should be put on. Encourage simple choices, but... Full Answer
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- Q How can I travel safely with an elderly parent who has dementia?
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Shelley Webb, NursingIf you are traveling with a loved one who has dementia, be sure that they have some sort of identification on them such as a GPS device, or a medical alert bracelet with information that will lead authorities to find you. You may think that you... Full Answer
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- Q How can I help stimulate someone with dementia?
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It's important to keep a person with dementia engaged and stimulated, but as abilities change, some once-favorite activities may become too difficult. Try not to abandon all hobbies and beloved rituals. Sometimes adjusting expectations helps. For... Full Answer
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- Q How can I help someone with dementia during meals?
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When caring for someone with dementia, stick to a calm, simple mealtime routine. Try to have the person use the bathroom beforehand. Limiting choices by offering one food at a time with the right utensil and eliminating distractions may be wise. It helps... Full Answer
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- Q What is the most common type of dementia?
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Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60 percent to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia (also called multi-infarct dementia, post-stroke dementia, or vascular cognitive impairment) is the second... Full Answer
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- Q What can I do to help someone with dementia?
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Some of the things that can be done to help a person with dementia are: Stick to a regular daily routine. Make sure there are lots of familiar objects around to be seen and enjoyed. Check on the patient's safety regularly. One method some families use... Full Answer
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- Q What is dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)?
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Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is one of the most common types of progressive dementia. The central feature of DLB is progressive cognitive decline, which is combined with pronounced "fluctuations" in alertness and attention, such as frequent... Full Answer
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- Q What do I need to know about caring for someone with dementia?
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When caring for someone with a progressive form of dementia, your role will change with time. In the early stages, you may not need to do much. Just be sure that the person you're caring for is following their doctor's treatment plan. Do your best to... Full Answer
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- Q What dementia results from a prion infection?
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Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which can be traced to a prion (abnormal protein) infection, affects one in 1 million people each year. The abnormality may be genetic in some cases, but it also appears that it may result from infected tissues used in tissue... Full Answer
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- Q What are complications of dementia?
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Complications of dementia depend on the underlying cause of the condition. Complications include loss of ability to function or care for self, verbal and physical abusiveness to loved ones, loss of ability to interact, increased infections anywhere in... Full Answer
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