A dementia diagnosis can be shocking, scary, and confusing. Both the patient and their family members are typically looking for answers and solutions. It is essential to understand what dementia is and distinguish between the different types of dementia you may be dealing with.

Dementia is defined as a decline in cognitive function that can influence behavior, judgment, language, memory, and thinking. Several kinds of dementia are potentially reversible or treatable, making it essential to see a physician and perform a medical assessment as soon as dementia symptoms manifest. Determining which type of dementia you or your loved one are experiencing may be scary and challenging. Still, it’s vital to identify which form of dementia you are dealing with as soon as possible.

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Dementia Diagnosis Types and Characteristics

While you should seek information directly from your doctor, here is some basic information on the five types of dementia with associated symptoms:

  1. Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer’s is a disorder of the brain that causes a significant impact on how the patient thinks and moves. Most Alzheimer’s patients begin to experience their symptoms in their 60s or 70s, but these symptoms may manifest later as well. Only 5% of Alzheimer’s patients developed the disease earlier than their 60s. Individuals living with Alzheimer’s will experience memory loss and forgetfulness. They tend to repeat words and concepts many times during conversations and have difficulty remembering any new information presented to them. As the disease progresses in severity, Alzheimer’s patients may have trouble with basic tasks such as eating, walking, or taking care of their hygiene.
  2. Vascular Dementia: Vascular dementia is brain damage that is the result of impaired blood flow to the brain, causing dementia. It is commonly associated with issues surrounding judgment, reasoning, planning, and other cognitive processes. It can manifest after a single, significant stroke, a series of minor strokes, or a brain hemorrhage. Vascular dementia may also result from narrowing blood vessels caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, or atherosclerosis. One of the most obvious symptoms of vascular dementia is a decrease in problem-solving ability and a slowing down of the ability to process thoughts.
  3. Huntington’s Disease: This hereditary disorder results in the progressive breakdown of the brain’s nerve cells. Considered a rare condition, Huntington’s impacts an individual’s functional capabilities, eventually leading to disorders afflicting one’s mobility and cognitive ability. Early indications of Huntington’s are issues with memory, an inability to stay focused on a task, and problems with planning. Slurred speech and involuntary movements are known to be later symptoms that manifest.
  4. Frontotemporal Dementia: Several kinds of dementia share a common characteristic. In these types of dementia, proteins attack the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes. This attack will influence behavior, motor function, and language capabilities. Patients with frontotemporal dementia may express apathy, complacency, aggressiveness, or use inappropriate language.
  5. Lewy Body Dementia: In this kind of dementia, protein deposits located in nerve cells prevent the brain from emitting chemical signals. This results in missed messages, slower reaction times, and loss of memory. Lewy Body dementia impairs the patient’s ability to plan activities and process data while adversely affecting their ability to be attentive and alert. Lewy body dementia patients characteristically experience hallucinations and delusions, seeing things that do not exist and acting out dreams and visions as if they are real.

Memory Care in the Villages

A Banyan Residence provides compassionate memory care living facilities for dementia patients. If you are looking for a safe and professional home for your loved one after a dementia diagnosis, come visit us today.