Among the first questions in most people’s minds when a member of family is diagnosed with dementia is precisely what can be expected in the time to come. We realize that the progression of dementia is hallmarked by the decline in cognitive abilities and the skills necessary to take care of daily life. However, every person progresses through these changes in a different way. There are a number of factors that will impact the rate of decline, including:
- Prescriptions the senior is taking
- General health and physical makeup
- The network of support in place
- The person’s general emotional wellbeing and resilience
There are additional determinants to factor in based on the type of dementia diagnosed. For instance:
- MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment): Mild cognitive impairment impacts up to 20 percent of seniors. More than the normal minor cognitive decline experienced in aging, MCI involves difficulties with language, thinking, judgment, and memory which are apparent to the older adult individually and often to others as well. Medical researchers found that about 38 percent of older adults with MCI later developed dementia. The other 62 percent never progressed further than MCI – and in a number of cases, their condition even improved, for unknown reasons. Signs of MCI include forgetfulness, depression, impulsiveness, anxiety, apathy, aggression and irritability, and more.
- Vascular Dementia: Because vascular dementia is caused by a blockage in blood flow to the brain, the type of blockage will influence the development of the disease. If small blood vessels are blocked, for instance, the decline will typically occur gradually. Major blood vessel blockage may cause a sudden onset of symptoms, followed by intense periods of change thereafter.
- Lewy Body Dementia: Progression of Lewy body dementia might be gradual, but could also consist of widely varying degrees of alertness and attention during the early stages. One day might find a senior loved one lucid, while the next day – and sometimes even several hours later – could bring hallucinations, confusion, and memory loss. In the later stages of the disease, agitation, restlessness, aggression, tremors, and stiffness become more prevalent.
- Frontotemporal Dementia: Unlike other forms of dementia, short-term memory is typically not impacted during the early stages of frontotemporal dementia. Rather, early symptoms include behavioral changes, like distraction, rudeness, apathy, and disregard for social norms. As the disease progresses, problems with language become noticeable as well, along with memory loss, vision problems, and other symptoms typically seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
Get in touch with the dementia care team at Independence-4-Seniors Home Care for more informative resources that help you better understand and care for someone you love with Alzheimer’s. We are also always available to help with creative, compassionate home care to make life more satisfying for a senior with dementia, and to help family members achieve a better life balance. Call us at (630) 323-4665 to learn more about our dementia care in Hinsdale and other communities in the Chicago area.