Abstract
Dementia is a complex condition that affects the way people think, remember, and behave. It is common in elderly people, but it can also show up earlier in life. Dementia is a condition that encompasses a wide variety of cognitive diseases, which is why dementia is called an “umbrella term”. Scientists need to study dementia because it affects 50 million people worldwide! Because of this, a lot of research has been focused on treating dementia, and different medicines and other forms of management to help people with this condition have been revealed. Finally, when a loved one has dementia, it can be frustrating, sad, and confusing for the people around them. It is, therefore, important to recognize these feelings and to understand that there are many ways to help people with dementia cope with their condition and assist them in their daily lives.
What Is Dementia?
Every year, we celebrate our birthdays and see the process of aging occur right before our eyes. We learn new things, gain new skills, notice changes in our bodies, and even grow taller! Aging is a natural process in which our bodies and minds change for many reasons. This aging process is completely normal—think of all the ways you differ from your parents or from older (or younger) friends and family members.
Some people may age abnormally, and this is commonly seen in a condition called dementia. Dementia is defined as a loss of memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. It can also cause changes in behavior and mood, to an extent that interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. With normal aging, everyone can experience some typical changes in memory and brain functions like cognition, but these are often less severe than in dementia and they generally do not have a big impact on the lives of the aging person and their family.
Dementia affects more than 50 million people around the world, and this number is expected to double in the next 30 years as people live longer, because dementia is more common in older adults [1]. Not everyone will develop dementia as they age. The reason dementia occurs is not fully understood but we do know that it is caused by a loss of brain cells called neurons over time. Neurons communicate with each other to help us learn, create memories, make important decisions, and control our emotions.
Dementia is a condition, which means it refers to a group of symptoms rather than a specific disease. Many different diseases fall under the category of dementia (Figure 1). The most common type of dementia is called Alzheimer’s disease, in which abnormal products made by neurons get stuck to parts of the brain that affect important functions like memory.
- Figure 1 - Dementia often develops at the same time as other conditions, which is why it is sometimes referred to as an “umbrella term”.
- In other words, several diseases that affect brain function, behavior, and most commonly, memory, are grouped together under the general term of “dementia”.
What is it Like to Have Dementia?
Dementia is a highly variable condition, meaning that different people can have different symptoms, making it challenging to diagnose and treat. Diagnosing dementia often starts in the home, with family members noticing early signs [2]. Early signs of dementia can vary in each person, but can include trouble remembering the words they want to use for a sentence, trouble with daily tasks, or changes in mood and behavior (Figure 2). These changes are often hard to spot in the beginning, but they become more obvious over time. People with dementia can become confused, frustrated, sad, or scared because they do not know what is happening. They might worry about being a burden to family members or feeling left out when they cannot join in on activities that they used to love. They may also feel upset if they are told they can no longer do important things, like driving or taking care of themselves.
- Figure 2 - As people grow older, one of the biggest symptoms they experience due to the changes happening in their brains is the ability to remember things.
- Sometimes older people can misplace things or have a hard time remembering a name or a place, but this happens to everyone. Forgetfulness is a normal part of aging. However, dementia patients experience these memory problems more severely, affecting their daily activities and relationships.
Overall, dementia causes very big changes in someone’s life. For this reason, it is important to support people with dementia as they go through these life-altering changes. Dementia can also be hard for the friends and family of the affected person. Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia, but luckily there are many doctors dedicated to helping dementia patients and lots of ongoing research in the field. There are also many resources available to help people with dementia live happy and fulfilling lives.
Is There a Cure for Dementia?
Scientists have not found a cure for dementia yet. However, there are ways to manage symptoms and improve daily life. Donepezil is a medication that can be helpful for people with dementia. This medicine works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical messenger in the brain called acetylcholine. Keeping more acetylcholine in the brain helps improve communication between neurons, so donepezil helps people with dementia to think more clearly and remember things better. This helps them manage some of the symptoms of the condition, but it is not a cure.
How Can We Help Someone With Dementia?
Having a family member with dementia can bring up a lot of emotions. You might feel sad or angry about the changes that are happening. You may also feel bored when they say the same things over and over. You might even worry about catching dementia or developing it yourself. All these feelings are normal and it is okay to be upset. But remember, dementia is not contagious like a cold or flu, and just because someone in your family has dementia, it does not mean that you will get the condition, too.
We talked about an example of medication for dementia, but there are also other helpful strategies called non-drug treatments [3]. These treatments focus on making life easier and more enjoyable for people with dementia (Figure 3). It is important to treat people with dementia with kindness and patience. You can make a big difference by spending time with them and doing things they enjoy. Even if they do not remember everything, they will feel your love and support.
- Figure 3 - Patients with dementia should participate in regular physical and brain activities.
- Examples include: (A) cognitive interventions, in which certain activities promote thinking, concentration, communication, and memory; (B) music therapy, which involves using familiar songs to cause patients to feel positive emotions and remember good times; (C) exercise and movement, which helps maintain normal brain functioning and improves muscle strength and independence. Different types of therapy can engage different parts of the brain, potentially spark more memories, and help reduce patients’ stress.
Here are some activities you and your loved one with dementia might enjoy:
• Looking at old photographs.
• Playing simple games.
• Going for a walk.
• Playing music, singing, or dancing together.
• Sharing stories.
• Drawing pictures.
• Celebrating special events together.
Tips for Helping Someone With Dementia
One important tip to consider when you are trying to communicate with someone with dementia is that it is best to keep things simple. Too many topics or choices at once can be confusing for someone with dementia. Try to stick to one idea at a time. For example, ask them: “Would you like some lemonade?” instead of “Would you like lemonade, ginger ale, or water?”. Another tip is to be patient and go slow. Give them lots of time to respond to you—it takes people with dementia longer to process information and come up with a reply.
Finally, people with dementia can undergo personality changes that vary as their symptoms progress. The changes happening in their brains can make them feel nervous and frustrated. Sometimes, they may even get angry at you when you have done nothing wrong. It is important to know that they still love you and do not mean to get angry. Like everyone, people with dementia will have good days and bad days. On these bad days, though we may still want to help our loved one, it is important to always consider personal safety. If someone is getting upset, it usually means they need something but do not necessarily know how to ask for it. In this situation, you can look to a trusted adult for support, offer the person with dementia a drink of water or a snack, and always reassure them that they are safe.
What Other Help is Available for People With Dementia and Their Families?
Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging. As the disease progresses, the person with dementia needs more and more help taking care of themselves. It usually takes a team of people, including family members, doctors, nurses, home help, and others, to care for someone with dementia. Some families may hire helpers like nurses or personal support workers, or register their loved one in a day program that can provide them with social activities and food [4].
Taking breaks is important for caregivers’ mental health. Additionally, support groups and resources are available to help caregivers cope. Sometimes it can become too much for caregivers to take care of people with dementia at home [5]. When this happens, the person with dementia may move into a facility with 24/7 support. If your loved one moves into one of these homes, try to visit as often as you can. You and your family know the person best and can help make their days brighter by telling stories or doing activities that are meaningful to them. You could also find out how you might be able to volunteer or share something special with the residents, like a music show or artwork!
In Closing…
If you have a loved one with dementia, showing them patience and understanding is really important. Spending time together and keeping them involved in activities they enjoy can make a big difference. Even though dementia does not go away, these efforts can help improve their daily lives and make them feel loved and supported. If things get tough, remember it is not your fault; you are doing your best to help.
Glossary
Dementia: ↑ A condition in which brain skills decline enough to interfere with daily life, affecting memory, reasoning, and communication.
Cognition: ↑ The mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding, including thinking, memory, learning, and decision making.
Neurons: ↑ Special types of cells in your body that act as a messenger. They are specialized for the brain and help carry signals between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body, allowing you to think, feel, move, and even form memories.
Alzheimer’s Disease: ↑ The most common cause of dementia; it progressively impairs memory, thinking, and behavior.
Acetylcholine: ↑ A type of chemical messenger, called a neurotransmitter, that neurons use to talk to each other. It helps control things like muscle movement and memory.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
References
[1] ↑ Ponjoan, A., Garre-Olmo, J., Blanch, J., Fages, E., Alves-Cabratosa, L., Martí-Lluch, R., et al. 2019. Epidemiology of dementia: prevalence and incidence estimates using validated electronic health records from primary care. Clin. Epidemiol. 11:217–228. doi: 10.2147/CLEP.S186590
[2] ↑ Galasko, D. 2013. The diagnostic evaluation of a patient with dementia. CONTINUUM 19:397–410. doi: 10.1212/01.CON.0000429176.37224.58
[3] ↑ Poon, N. Y., Ooi, C. H., How, C. H., and Yoon, P. S. 2018. Dementia management: a brief overview for primary care clinicians. Singapore Med. J. 59:295–299. doi: 10.11622/smedj.2018070
[4] ↑ Thyrian, J. R., Hertel, J., Wucherer, D., Eichler, T., Michalowsky, B., Dreier-Wolfgramm, A., et al. 2017. Effectiveness and safety of dementia care management in primary care: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiat. 74:996–1004. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.2124
[5] ↑ Arruda, E. H., and Paun, O. 2017. Dementia caregiver grief and bereavement: an integrative review. Western J. Nurs. Res. 39:825–851. doi: 10.1177/0193945916658881