Dementia means losing one’s mind - a loss or impairment of mental powers and intellectual abilities severe enough to interfere with social and occupational functioning.

Dementia comes from two Latin words, away and mind. Dementia is the most accurate word to describe a group of symptoms, not the name of a specific disease.

Some dementia caused by other diseases may be cured when the disease is resolved, however, the most common reason for dementia, Alzheimer’s disease cannot be cured at this time. There are, however, several medications, which, if given early on in the disease process, may help with memory loss. There are also specialized treatment regimens where self-esteem and functioning levels can be maximized.

Alzheimer’s strikes four million persons in the United States every year. A German doctor, whose name was Alois Alzheimer, discovered Alzheimer’s disease in 1906.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disease characterized by changes in the brain. The course of the disease can be from 3 to 20 years, with the average course being 7 to 8 years.

Alzheimer’s is a disease that impacts the entire family. Fortunately there are many support organizations available to help family members and loved ones cope with the disease.

There are progressive stages of the disease. In the first stage, confusion and forgetfulness are inconsistent allowing individuals to remain in their homes leading productive lives.

In the middle stage, memory loss begins to interfere with the activities of daily living and hygiene is neglected. The individual often loses his or her ability to make sound and safe judgments. The attention span shortens, the individual loses interest in activities, and short-term memory fades.

Short-term memory is recalling recent events. (What did I have for breakfast today?) Long-term memory loss is the inability to recall past events. (When was I born?) Days and nights become mixed up and individuals are often awake most of the night. Personal possessions are often lost or misplaced. The ability to remember and follow simple directions diminishes. The individual with Alzheimer’s loses the ability to store and recall information. Meaningless behaviors begin as these skills diminish. Incontinence becomes a problem.

The final stage brings with it the inability to walk, stand or communicate. The client becomes totally dependent in the activities of daily living. Kidney failure, infection and frequently pneumonia are usually what end’s an individuals life.

10 Requests From Individuals With Alzheimer's
  1. Please Be Patient With Me
    Please Remember, I Am The Helpless Victim Of An Organic Brain Disease Which Is Out Of Control.
  2. Talk To Me
    Even Though I Cannot Always Answer You, I Can Hear Your Voice And Sometimes I Comprehend Your Words.
  3. Be Kind To Me
    For Each Day Of My Life Is A Long And Desperate Struggle. Your Kindness May Be The Most Special And Important Event Of My Life.
  4. Consider My Feelings
    For They Are Still Very Much Alive Within Me.
  5. Treat Me With Human Dignity And Respect
    As I Would Have Greatly Treated You If You Had Been The Victim Lying In Bed.
  6. Remember My Past
    For I Was Once A Healthy Vibrant Person Full Of Life, Love, And Laughter With Abilities And Intelligence.
  7. Remember My Present
    I Am A Fearful Person, A Loving Husband, Wife, Father And More.
  8. Remember My Future
    Though It May Seem Bleak To You, I Am Always Filled With The Hope Of Tomorrow.
  9. Pray For Me
    For I Am A Person Who Lingers In The Mist That Drifts Between Time And Eternity. Your Presence May Do More For Me Than Any Other Outreach Compassion You Would Extend To Me.
  10. Love Me
    And The Gifts Of Love You Give Will Be A Blessing That Will Fill Both Our Lives.


Types Of Behaviors

Overview

Behaviors are classified into three categories.

Memory Related Behaviors Disruptive Behaviors Depressive Behaviors. KEY POINTS

Causes of Problem Behaviors

Common complaints of the elderly Environmental causes Emotional Social Psychiatric causes Psychological causes Medical causes Behavior Related Definitions
Antecedent
- triggering event, which causes the behavior.
Aggression
- unprovoked hostile actions or feelings.
Agitation
- emotional disturbance.
Anxiety
- uneasiness and distress about future uncertainties, a cause of uneasiness.
Behavior
- the manner in which one behaves.
Behavior modification
- modification of behavior through psychological means, using reinforcement and aversion therapy.
Cognitive impairment
- in memory or thinking caused by damage to the brain, as in dementia.
Confusion
- to be unclear in mind or intent.
Delusions
- false ideas.
Dementia
- the inability to use one's mind causing certain symptoms to occur.
Depression
- the feelings of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness.
Hallucinations
- seeing or hearing sounds, or seeing objects that are not there.
Isolation
- to set apart from a group or whole, alone or solitary.
Model
- to show or provide examples to another person.
Non-verbal communication
- communication by means of gestures and body language.
Paranoia
- thinking something or someone is going to harm you.
Prompting, cueing
- helping others to do a task, either verbally or physically.
Suicide
- the expression to kill oneself.
Sundowning
- increased confusion or agitation as the day progresses into the late afternoon and early evening.
Wandering
- describes walking without purpose.