What Is Dementia?

Memory loss is one of the most common early symptoms of dementia. It often involves forgetting recently learned information, such as the names of people or places, or important events, like appointments or birthdays.

As dementia progresses, individuals may find it increasingly challenging to complete familiar tasks, both at home and at work, such as buttoning clothes, typing, or using kitchen appliances.

People with dementia may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue.

As dementia progresses, individuals may become increasingly withdrawn from social activities, work projects, or hobbies that they once enjoyed. They may void social gatherings or participating in activities that require cognitive or social skills.

As dementia progresses, individuals may experience increasing difficulty solving problems. This can manifest in various ways, such as struggling to follow a recipe, balance a checkbook, or use a remote control.

People with dementia may experience confusion about time and place, often losing track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. They may also become disoriented in familiar surroundings or believe they are somewhere else entirely.

People with dementia may experience decreased or poor judgment, which can affect their decision-making in various areas of life, including their personal hygiene and finances.

People with dementia may experience significant changes in their mood and personality. They can experience emotional outbursts, become more withdrawn, anxious, or suspicious, or start wandering, hoarding, or resisting care.

Parkinson’s dementia is a subtype of dementia that develops in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. It typically occurs after the onset of movement symptoms, such as tremors and stiffness. 

Symptoms include memory loss, trouble with balance and coordination, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and changes in thinking abilities.

We’re here to support residents living with a range of different cognitive conditions, including:

• Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, usually due to stroke or other cardiovascular diseases. It progresses in steps, with periods of baseline functioning followed by sudden declines.
• Frontotemporal lobe dementia affects the ability to control behavior and speak and understand speech, leading to changes in behavioral and verbal responses.
• Lewy body dementia involves the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain, leading to problems with movement, thinking, and behavior. Hallucinations and delusional thinking are common, and typical psychotropic medications may exacerbate symptoms.
• Mixed dementia occurs when a person has 2 or more types of dementia, most commonly Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. Symptoms can vary depending on the types of dementia present.

• Difficulty with complex tasks.
• Poor concentration.
• Impairment of reason and judgment.
• Anxiety about symptoms.
• “Inappropriate” and “embarrassing” behavior.

• Severe memory loss, including major life details and names of close family.
• Severe irritability, agitation, and violent episodes.
• An inability to handle anything beyond simple, structured, and familiar situations.
• Possibility of being totally dependent alongside the loss of basic daily living skills.
• Significant personality changes including paranoia, hallucinations, and obsessive behavior.