While Alzheimer’s is the most commonly known form, when it comes to Dementia, there are many different types.
Watching an aging parent or loved one start to deal with dementia is never easy.
Arming yourself and your senior care provider with as much knowledge as possible is important.
Types of Dementia:
Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer’s Association states that as many as 8 out of 10 people diagnosed with dementia specifically have Alzheimer’s disease care. Key symptoms senior care professions typically see include trouble with short-term memory, confusion, depression, and eventually trouble with speech and some muscle control.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: This is not a common form of dementia. The rare disease is closely associated with Mad Cow Disease in cattle. Key signs include memory loss, behavioral changes, and loss of coordination. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is the most aggressive form of dementia.
Frontotemporal Dementia: People with Frontotemporal dementia will develop problems with speech and proper behavior. Changes to the personality are common.
Huntington’s Disease: Huntington’s disease is linked to a problem with chromosome 4. Loss of reasoning skills, mood swings, and depression are common symptoms.
Dementia with Lewy bodies: Lewy Body shares many of the same symptoms that home care providers see with Alzheimer’s patients, but there are other issues. People with Lewy Body dementia deal with hallucinations, an unsteady gait or movements, and difficultly with sleep.
Mixed Dementia: With mixed dementia, symptoms of more than one dementia appear at the same time. Typically, it is a blend of Alzheimer’s with vascular dementia.
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: With Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, an increase of fluids within the brain cause symptoms like memory loss, loss of bladder control, and problems walking.
Parkinson’s: Parkinson’s disease shares many of the same symptoms as those who have Lewy Body dementia, such as muscle control.
Vascular Dementia: Vascular dementia is not as common. People with vascular dementia are more likely to have problems making decisions or plans. They are often unorganized and struggle with physical functions.
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome: Vitamin B-1 deficiency, especially in alcoholics, is the key factor in Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. Memory loss is the most common symptom.
Family caregivers and home care professionals must have a proper diagnosis when planning home care for a senior parent. For each type of dementia, the senior care plan will differ. While some in the early stages of something like Alzheimer’s may simply need medication reminders, others in the end stages need help with bathing, remembering to eat, and moving around the house.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering in-home senior care in Bethesda MD to help with memory loss issues, please contact the caring staff at Trusted Touch Healthcare today. We make seniors’ lives better! Call today (301) 272-5140.
Sources:
