Is dementia a part of aging? If you’re looking for this answer, the answer is no, dementia is not a normal part of aging. The term dementia explains a group of symptoms concerning memory, thinking, mood, personality, reasoning ability, and behavior.
Alzheimer’s disease contributes to about 70% of dementia. Untreated dementia affects day-day activities of a person. Memory loss is a classic symptom of dementia, however, memory loss alone is not a parameter to determine this medical condition. Old age home in North Bengal ensures holistic care for your elderly. Visit a reputed and authorized center.
What are the signs of dementia?
A number of signs and symptoms are there, including:
- Forgetfulness
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Agitation
- Personality changes
- Hallucinations
- Getting lost while walking or driving
- Not finding the apt words
- Difficulty problem-solving even small tasks
Consulting a doctor is a must upon noticing that your elderly failing to remember recent events, the name of seasons, experiencing confusion, unpredicted agitation, worsening of anxiety, etc. Memory loss doesn’t mean your elderly have dementia for sure.
Psychiatrists will determine the underlying reason through a set of tests, such as blood tests, physical examination, cognitive testing, standard X-rays, CT scan, PET scan, MRI, asking various questions. Depending on medical reports, the specialist will ensure a dementia treatment plan.
What can contribute to dementia?
Damage to nerve cells that send signals to the brain or loss of nerve cells impairs the brain’s ability to connect with different areas of the body. Plus, interrupted blood flow to the brain might result in dementia. Here are some reasons for dementia:
- Lack of thiamine, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E
- Alzheimer's disease
- Traumatic brain injury
- Infections
- Medicinal side effects
- Parkinson’s disease
- Metabolic disease
- Down syndrome
- Physical inactivity
- Too much alcohol consumption
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Depression
- High cholesterol
- Sleep apnea
- Cardiovascular condition
A family history, Down Syndrome, age over 65, etc. can contribute to dementia as well. For holistic healthcare for your elderly, visit a reliable Old age home in North Bengal.
What are the complications of untreated dementia?
Dementia without medical attention or expert assistance can lead to several complications, such as:
- Inadequate nutrition due to reduced eating leading to vitamin deficiency
- Extreme difficulty performing day-to-day familiar activities, like cooking, living alone, driving, walking/going out alone
- Problems with bathing, taking medicines, eating, brushing on themselves
- The risk of fractures
- Apathy
- Unpredicted agitation
- Pneumonia
What are ways to prevent dementia?
Certain things can't be prevented. But, lifestyle factors can be taken care of, such as:
- Getting sufficient vitamins and minerals from natural foods and if you give your elderly supplements, make sure you consult a doctor before that
- Quitting smoking and alcohol intake
- Working out/ performing physical activity mild to moderate level activities
- Interacting socially
- Solving puzzles at home, simple counting without a calculator
- Managing optimal body weight
- Eating a balanced diet
- Treating preexisting health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea
- Getting quality sleep
Long-term medical care is required for people diagnosed with dementia. Reach out to the best old age home in Siliguri. Among medical care for dementia, medications, different types of therapies like occupational therapies, environment modification as suggested by a specialist, and follow-up checkups are essential.