Dementia Alzheimers Disease

Dementia is the term used to describe an abnormal deterioration in cognitive function over a long period of time, and the most common type of dementia is disease. Symptoms of dementia, and particularly of Alzheimer’s disease, are similar to what might be expected from simple old age, at least in the early stages. However, the severity of these symptoms is much more, and this fact gradually becomes obvious. Starting with memory loss, the disease soon progresses to involve confusion, mood swings, irritability, unprovoked aggression, and the deterioration of language skills. However, not all the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are related to mental abilities or the psychological state of the patient. Over time, the patient’s physical functions are also affected – urinary incontinence is quite a common problem, physical coordination and motor skills deteriorate, and muscle mass decreases to the extent that the patient is finally confined to bed. By this point, the patient is very susceptible to a variety of infections, and one of these infections typically claims the patient’s life. Thus Alzheimer’s disease is usually considered to be a terminal illness, a fact which is not very well known.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease – there are a number of treatments available to manage the disease symptomatically, but these have only limited success, and the progress of the disease cannot be stopped. There are a number of medication options, but the effectiveness of most of these treatments is not entirely certain, and a large number of patients experience side effects. Such treatment should therefore be used only in consultation with a doctor, and should preferably be stopped if there is no noticeable improvement in the patient’s condition.

Therapy for Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease

Other treatment options include a number of therapies that aim to stimulate the patient mentally. These include validation therapy, reminiscence therapy, sensory integration therapy, pet therapy, as well as the use of art, music, and physical exercise. Data on the efficacy of such measures is inconclusive, but they are generally considered to slow down the progress of the disease. Mental stimulation and engagement are therefore an important part of the patient’s home care too. In addition, simple measures at home can help the patient function relatively independently in spite of the decreased mental abilities – establish a daily routine, label household articles of daily use and modification of the diet to include foods that are soft and easy to swallow. In rare cases, a patient may need to be physically restrained, but usually, it is enough to lock away dangerous substances and objects.