Dementia - Recognizing the Signs in Your Loved One

Dementia is a disease that is really an umbrella over many diagnoses, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Disease, Pick's Disease, and many more. There are around 80 different types of dementia. It can be caused by both chemical and structural changes in the brain. Typically, it is progressive and irreversible, and may manifest itself in many ways.

All dementias involve cognitive decline that interferes with normal activities of daily life and affects more than one of the following areas: memory, impairment of attention, orientation, judgment, language, motor and spatial skills, and function. There definition also states that there is a decline from a higher level of functioning. In dementia, the brain is dying. On brain scans, there will be shrinkage of the brain that corresponds with the loss of function. It is not normal aging. There are clues for the family members and professional caregivers.

If you notice any of these 10 signs, developed as a checklist by the Alzheimer's Association, it is time to look for help.


Losing new information
Familiar tasks become difficult-he may forget to take medications (or take too much medicine), or have problems managing money
Have problems with finding words-may cover this using the definition of the word
Confusion with time and place-misses appointments, gets lost while driving
Judgment issues-doesn't think through issues as he did previously
Problem solving becomes difficult
Misplacing things-putting things in "odd" places
Changes in mood or behavior
Changes in personality
Withdrawal from normal activities and interest, loss of initiation

If you suspect that your loved one may have dementia, there are certain items that need attention.


Make sure legal documents are in order. There should be designated Financial Power of Attorney, as well as Healthcare Power of Attorney.
Make an appointment with the loved ones' primary care physician to discuss your concerns. Perhaps there is another medical reason that is causing the manifestation of the symptoms. Other causes could be depression, thyroid imbalance, medication side effects, hearing or vision loss, pain, sleep apnea or other acute illness. Insist on a full workup. It has been suggested that only 30% of MDs do full medical screens with clients exhibiting cognitive decline symptoms after the age of 75. Don't be afraid to ask for a complete physical with blood work and neurological screen, a complete medication review, a time for you to give your observations to the doctor, CAT scan, MRI, or PET scan, and neuropsychological testing. Expect follow up by the physician.
Look for local resources such as Geriatric Care Managers who can provide information and support and Alzheimer Association and related support groups. Geriatric Care Managers can provide experienced insight into your local care community and handle details for you. They can also make recommendations on things such as safety in the home and long term planning.
Consider requesting a referral to a specialist such as a Gero-psychologist or a specialty assessment program.

Once you have a diagnosis of dementia, there will be much to learn regarding managing the disease in day to day life. Dementia can't be cured, but it can be treated and managed with the right combination of knowledge, skills, flexibility, commitment, and compassion. Over the next few weeks, we will publish more articles related to the management of dementia. Stay tuned!

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