Old age and health concerns go hand-in-hand. A healthy lifestyle may keep your elderly from such concerns. Dementia is a group of symptoms that refer to memory and cognitive impairments. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common reason for getting dementia. This mental health condition is more common among older people (over the age of 65).
If you notice the elderly having trouble remembering recent events, names of near ones, or confusion, see a doctor. You might consult a psychiatrist at the best center of old age care in Siliguri. Memory loss is the classic symptom of dementia but experiencing memory loss in old age doesn’t mean dementia for sure.
Clinical diagnosis can determine if the individual has dementia. However, no single test can rule out this mental health concern. A combination of tests that a psychiatrist may order includes complete blood tests (Vitamin B-12 deficiency, thyroid tests), imaging tests (CT, MRI, PET scan), etc. Doctors go for physical and psychological examinations as well for promising evaluation.
Signs and Symptoms of Dementia
With dementia, a group of symptoms appears. One might not have all signs or symptoms of dementia.
Let’s discuss the common signs of dementia:
- Difficulty remembering
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Trouble problem-solving
- Problem with decision making
- Disorientation
- Trouble doing day-to-day activities
- Problems dealing with numbers
- Poor reasoning skill
- Difficulty organizing simple things
- Difficulty organizing things, putting things in order
These are cognitive impairments due to dementia. The psychological signs of this mental health concern include agitation, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, depression, etc. If you suspect such signs or your elderly address such discomforts, consult a doctor.
Although memory loss to some extent is common in older age, it might pinpoint dementia. At the same time, without clinical diagnosis under medical supervision, we cannot determine whether the person has dementia or other health concern. Find the best old age home in Siliguri to look after your elderly in the most promising way possible.
Stages of Dementia and its Types
Here are the stages of dementia:
- Mild cognitive impairment (mild forgetfulness, difficulties in making decisions, difficulty remembering things, losing things like keys, umbrellas, pens, difficulty coming up with the appropriate words.
- Mild dementia (relatively more problems with remembering recent events, trouble making plans)
- Moderate dementia (problems operating with regular activities without assistance, need help for performing simple tasks such as bathing, dressing, agitations, sleeping during the day, more confusion, poor judgment, restlessness at night, hard time remembering things)
- Severe decline (severe forgetfulness, inability to remember things such as names of near or loved ones, physical incapabilities like sitting, bathing, walking)
The types of dementia involve Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia. Out of all these types, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common one and it’s a progressive brain disorder. genetics, family history of dementia, older age, and Down syndrome are potential risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Visit the most trusted center of old age care in Siliguri.
Strategic lifestyle changes such as eating well, no substance dependence, moderate exercise/physical activity, meditations, medications, and therapies (occupational therapy) guided by a psychiatrist help heal dementia. Proper diagnosis is central to apt treatment and healing.