What is dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term used for a group of diseases which permanently damage the brain. The 3 most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease (60% to 70% of all dementias), followed by vascular dementia (15% to 20%) and mixed dementia (10% to 15%).
Dementia is the result of nerve cell loss in certain areas of the brain and the nerves not being able to repair themselves. This is a progressive condition which typically affects a person’s:
- Memory
- Thinking
- Problem- solving
- Planning
- Language
- Perception
5 Most Common Types of Dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term for a set of symptoms that affects memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to complete daily tasks. There are several types of dementia and below are the five most common types.
Knowing what type of dementia your loved one has is vital as it will help you to understand the symptoms and discover what support is available.
The five most common types of dementia are:
This is the most common type of dementia and usually begins with trouble remembering recent conversations, names, or new friends. Later symptoms include confusion and long-term memory loss, trouble remembering the date and year, getting lost and confused in unfamiliar settings
This is the second most common type of dementia and is caused by large or small strokes in the brain. Over time this causes difficulties with thinking and reasoning.
This type can potentially occur after years of living with Parkinson’s disease and will have similar symptoms to Alzheimer’s.
This is a Parkinson's-like condition, with similar symptoms that can cause balance problems, hallucinations and periods of confusion.
This type of dementia includes features of two or more types of dementia conditions.
These are the most common types of dementia but there are many more. Each one will have its own pattern of symptoms and each will require a different approach of support. If you are seeking a diagnosis for a loved one from a medical professional, remember to ask what type of dementia it is.
This will mean you can research that specific type of dementia and can prepare yourself for specific symptoms. It will also mean you can access support for that specific type of dementia and your specific situation.
How will dementia impact the lives of the person diagnosed and their carers?
Dementia will impact people differently and it develops at different rates, but it will inevitably change some aspects of daily life for everyone affected by dementia, as well as the people caring for them.
Some types of dementia change the way people walk and it can affect a person's balance. As a carer you may be able to help by doing household jobs they can no longer manage or by taking their dog for a walk, for example. You could also look into getting them a walking aid which will support their independence.
People living with dementia can find it harder to communicate. They may find it difficult to remember the meaning of certain words or may struggle to find the right word when talking. This can be hard to see as a carer. In the later stages of dementia people may rarely speak - carers often develop alternative ways of communicating with them that bring comfort.
Driving gives people independence but because dementia affects thinking, reasoning and reactions, most people will have to stop driving. When someone is diagnosed with dementia, they must let the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) know. As the carer, you will likely need to support your loved one with public transport or by giving lifts to shops or appointments.
People living with dementia can experience trouble when going to the toilet. This could be a result a few things, one being they don’t recognise the signs of needing the bathroom, or not recognising the environment, or not getting to the bathroom on time due to poor coordination.
People living with dementia can find it difficult to use the phone and may begin to forget familiar phone numbers or how to use an answerphone. Simple mobile phones, call screening services and phones with larger buttons can help.
As dementia affects a person’s memory and concentration, people may find it harder to follow plot lines or keep track of characters’ names when watching television. Many people with dementia still enjoy watching TV but over time they may not be able to recall everything they have seen and might not be interested in the same things they once were. It may also be necessary to change the type of programme that is being watched.
Dementia can affect a person’s ability to remember street names, follow instructions or use a map. This means people can get easily lost or disorientated, even in a familiar place. As dementia progresses, people may prefer to go out with a loved one or carer so that they do not feel lost or disorientated when they’re away from home.
Looking after money, paying bills on time, and keeping on top of finances can be difficult and sometimes overwhelming for someone living with dementia - even in the early stages of dementia. People can find it helpful to have a financial advisor to support them but many people choose to arrange a Lasting Power of Attorney to manage finances on their behalf.
A lot of everyday tasks such as banking, shopping, and staying in touch with people involves using the internet, or technology. People living with dementia can find it difficult to use computers, web pages and apps. As dementia progresses people may no longer be able to use certain technologies, even simple things like alarm clocks.
People with dementia often find it difficult to remember to take medication. Some find it useful to have their medication organised in a box with the time and day on it. As dementia progresses, people may need someone there to support them with taking their medication.
What can I do to support with daily tasks?
This could be prompting to eat, how to use a phone or around personal hygiene. You could create reminder notes or instructions placed at various tasks.
Things like buttons and shoelaces can become tricky to manage for people living with dementia. They may need support with dressing if clothing is not simple to put on. To support their independence clothing could be changed to elasticated waists, velcro on shoes for example to enable independent dressing.
As a person’s dementia progresses they will need increasing support with washing and bathing. To begin with, someone may simply need reminding to bathe or wash their hair. They may also need support with brushing their teeth, taking care of their hair and fingernails.
Boiling the kettle or making a meal are some of the tasks that become more challenging for people with dementia. Providing support at mealtimes can help remind people to eat, and ensure they’re getting a balanced diet. In later stages of dementia people often need to have drinks and meals prepared for them.
Using public transport like a bus or train can help people living with dementia get around and stay independent, especially if they are no longer able to drive. People may need extra support remembering routes and timetables. As dementia progresses people may feel more comfortable staying closer to home and travelling only when they are with someone else.
People living with dementia may need help looking after their home. Over time they may find it more difficult to use a hoover or may simply forget to clean and tidy. As keeping the home clean and tidy becomes more difficult, extra support is often needed from carers or loved ones to help with these tasks
Shopping can become more difficult for someone living with dementia. They might forget what they came out for, get disoriented in a shop, or find counting change at a till takes more time. Over time as their dementia progresses, people will need extra support from others to help them get their shopping.
Many people living with dementia still enjoy reading but they may find it more difficult to follow lines of text or remember sections of text as their condition progresses. A person in the later stages of dementia may prefer someone reading to them or listening to an audio book.
Keeping track of appointments and social plans can be difficult for someone living with dementia. If you’re caring for someone with dementia, it can be helpful to keep track of their appointments so you’re able to remind them and take them along where necessary.