Are you looking for Dementia Care in North NJ? Applause Home Care is a local 24/7 home care agency that provides Dementia Care in North NJ with meaningful care that is unique to each individual. We believe in offering “CARE PARTNERING” services.
Many people experience
minor changes to their memory over the years. If you or a loved one
occasionally have trouble recalling recent events, misplace everyday items, or
temporarily forget names or words, it’s typically not a cause for concern.
These lapses could be part of the normal aging process.
However, dementia —
more seriously impaired thinking, memory, and problem-solving that interferes
with daily living — is not part of normal aging.
Dementia is a
universal term for an irreversibly impaired and progressively worsening ability
to think, remember, or problem-solve that affects one’s ability to perform daily
activities.
Dementia Symptoms
Individuals with
dementia can experience a range of symptoms such:
- Memory loss
- Communication challenges
- Reasoning difficulties
- Problem-solving issues
- Motor function limitations
- Confusion
- Personality changes (e.g. anger, depression)
Signs
of dementia may be constant,
sporadic and unpredictable.
Symptoms may also
occur at certain times of the day. For example, individuals with dementia may
have trouble sleeping or experience “sundowning,” a state of heightened
confusion that spans the late afternoon and night. Sundowning may cause a one to have symptoms, such
as wandering and pacing or becoming fearful or aggressive at night.
The cause of
sundowning is not yet known, but factors that contribute may include:
- Physical and mental exhaustion
- Caffeine intake at night
- Dehydration and hunger
- Stress and/or depression
- Changes in lighting and shadows that cause fear
- Underlying health issues
- Trouble separating reality from dreams
Dementia Types
Dementia is not a
single disease but instead a condition that can be caused by multiple different
diseases. The most common types of dementia include:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-80 percent
of all dementia cases. Alzheimer’s worsens over time, and typically causes
memory loss, problems with language, and erratic or unpredictable behavior.
Some people with Alzheimer’s disease also experience changes in their mood and
may become confused and frightened or angry and violent, sometimes rapidly
swinging between these extremes.
The cause of Alzheimer’s is not fully understood, although there are links to
certain genes that can be passed from parent to child.
- Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia occurs when blood vessels
supplying oxygen to the brain are damaged. The damage can be gradual and
progress over time as the result of numerous narrowed blood vessels or small
blockages or bleeds in the brain, or it can have sudden onset following
vascular brain injuries such as stroke.
Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss is not
typically a pronounced symptom of vascular dementia. Instead, common symptoms
of vascular dementia include sluggish thinking, trouble solving problems or
making decisions, unsteady gait, and difficulty concentrating or focusing.
- Lewy Body Dementia
Similar to Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy
body dementia is another
common cause of progressive dementia. Lewy body dementia is more common in men
than women, can have a sudden onset, and may progress very quickly. Symptoms of
Lewy body dementia include impaired thinking and memory, difficulty remaining
alert or maintaining attention, stiffness and slowness of movement, visual
hallucinations, and changes to sleep and behavior.
Lewy body dementia can also cause bodily
systems to become dysregulated, which may lead to circulatory or digestive
problems such as changes to blood pressure, dizziness, and constipation.
- Mixed Dementia
Some people with dementia can have two or more
underlying diseases, such as vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, that
contribute to their symptoms.
Dementia
symptoms may also be
caused by other conditions, such as endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism,
immune disorders or infections, nutritional disorders, or even medication side
effects.
Dementia Care
While dementia can be
caused by multiple diseases, there are reversible conditions that can mimic
dementia symptoms. Therefore, getting the right medical diagnosis is critical.
Speak to your loved one’s doctor if you notice any symptoms — especially if
your senior has any risk factors for dementia, such as:
- Family history
- Poor diet
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking or alcohol use
- Cardiovascular disease
- Sleep apnea
Although dementia is
incurable, there are treatments and dementia
care that can improve your
loved one’s quality of life and help control symptoms.
If you need
additional caring for someone with
dementia, consider contacting
Applause Home Care. We are always available to discuss your loved one’s needs and
offer a free
home care consultation.
If you're interested
in more information about how in-home
care can help your
loved one, contact us today 201 326-8052, applausehomecare.com.