What is Dementia?

WHO (World Health Organization) defines Dementia as ‘a syndrome with a deterioration in cognitive function beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of biological aging.’

Dementia is a general term for a lot of neurological disturbances like memory loss, reduced thinking capacity, mood changes, behavioral issues, or decreased decision-making abilities that affect your everyday life. Although dementia mostly affects older adults, it is not a part of getting older.

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How common is it?

• WHO reports that Dementia is currently the 7th leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people globally.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia accounting for up to 70% of all dementia cases.

Isn’t dementia a part of growing old?

No, it is not.

Getting older means weaker bones and muscles, stiff joints, sluggish blood flow due to stiffening of arteries and veins, sagging skin, and forgetfulness; but dementia is a neurological condition that requires medical attention and treatment.

What are the signs of dementia?

Dementia is characterized by decreased mental acuity and function. However, the signs can be vague with neurological problems linked to:

• Memory & Attention.
• Mood & Behavior.
• Reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Language & Communication.

These can be divided into three stages.

Early-stage: In the initial stages, dementia is not noticeable as symptoms are vague, like

• Absentmindedness
• Memory lapses
• Forgetting what day, it is
• Getting lost in familiar places

Middle stage: As dementia progresses, the signs and symptoms become more evident and include:

• Issues remembering recent events
• Increasing speech and coordination issues
• Needing help with daily activities
• Behavior and mood changes

Late-stage: This stage is marked by a near-total dependence and inability to perform any activity independently. Memory disturbances and physical symptoms become severe and may include:

• Becoming oblivious of the time and place
• Having trouble recognizing friends and family
• The increased need for assistance even when performing daily tasks
• Having difficulty walking unassisted
• Behavior changes and mood swings (marked by episodes of sudden aggression, anxiety, panic, or depression).

How can it be diagnosed?

If you or a loved one is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. They will take a detailed history and may perform tests to assess your attention, memory, problem-solving and other cognitive abilities to see if there is cause for concern. They might also order a physical exam, blood tests, and brain scans (like a CT or MRI).

What to do if a loved one has dementia?

If you are worried that a loved one might have dementia, here’s something that might help.

• Talk to them: Talk to them about your concerns and ask them to see a doctor about their symptoms.
• Regular medical exams: Make sure they get regular health check-ups to monitor and assess dementia and other health issues they might be facing.
• Health aids or Homecare Assistants: Start planning and gathering information about how you can help them live better, either with supportive care from homecare assistants, health aids or nurses.

Doral Health and Wellness has several urgent care clinics around New York that can cater to your family’s medical needs. We also have the best medical providers, physicians and staff that are highly trained in their respective specialties. To know more about the locations of our urgent care clinics, you can visit us at Doral Health and Wellness. If you are looking for urgent care near you, you can visit Doral Health and Wellness Urgent Care. We provide urgent care for common illnesses and injuries. Additionally, we also provide comprehensive care for any related injuries and health problems. We also offer other services, such as vaccinations, immunizations, and blood testing. For more info, visit us or call 1-347-384-5690.