Dementia is not a specific disease but a group of symptoms that involve a decline in one’s cognitive functioning, behavior, and social skills. Dementia typically involves forgetfulness and memory loss along with a decline in language skills and communication, the…
Wandering is one of the greatest concerns for dementia patients’ families and caregivers. Research shows that six in ten people with dementia wander. People with dementia wander because they get easily disoriented, even in familiar places, and don’t remember their…
Dementia destroys brain cells, causing the person to lose the ability to speak and to understand speech (aphasia). The person typically has difficulties remembering the right words and processing what others are saying. This condition worsens as dementia progresses. In…
Sleep is a common source of stress for dementia patients’ caregivers and family members. Understanding the factors that cause the person with dementia to have sleep problems can help you manage this problem and make care easier for both you…
When a person with dementia stops talking, maintain communication by establishing and keeping eye contact. While forgetting words, people with dementia remember songs, so singing is a great way to communicate and reconnect. When talking to someone with dementia, minimize…
One of the most challenging things when caring for someone with dementia is when a person has stopped eating. For many people with dementia, eating and drinking become harder as the disease progresses. Eating and drinking are complex processes controlled…
A person with dementia may unexpectedly become tearful, start crying, or have sudden screaming episodes. This can be very upsetting to experience, for everyone: a person with dementia, caregivers, and people around them. Possible reasons why your loved one with…
Understanding what triggers anger and aggression in your loved one with dementia will help you avoid those triggers and prevent aggressive behavior. Anger prevention and coping strategies will make dementia care much easier for you and your loved one alike.…
Anger and aggression are some of the symptoms a person with dementia experiences regularly. Individuals with dementia may become irritable, angry, or aggressive even if nothing triggers these behaviors. Aggressive behaviors in persons with dementia may include shouting, screaming, verbal…
Dementia usually occurs in an aging population: nearly half of all people aged 85 or older have some type of dementia. Still, dementia is by no means a normal part of aging. Although dementia usually develops in people over the…