When someone you know
is diagnosed with dementia, you may not realize that there are more than two
hundred types of dementia. Yet, there are five general types of dementia such
as Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy body, Frontotemporal
Dementia, and Mixed Dementia. Each type of dementia makes the brain lose more
neurons and causes memory loss. Over time as dementia progresses, it becomes
more aggressive to the brain and the body. It affects the entire nervous
system depending on the type of dementia someone has.
There is one type of
dementia that is often confused with Parkinson’s disease because of the body
tremors and shaking that occurs due to nerve damage. Dementia with a Lewy
body makes someone unable to sleep since the brain is highly active at night
causing dreams and hallucinations. This type of dementia affects the entire nervous
system making it difficult to balance in a standing position or while walking. Furthermore,
there is a combination of feeling confused, incapable to concentrate, and cannot
be able to dress. Also, too many changes in mood, and behavior, and problems in making decisions which are noticeable when someone is
speaking to someone with dementia.
The rarest type of
dementia is Frontotemporal Dementia which forms too many proteins and people at
a young age are diagnosed with this type of dementia. Vascular Dementia affects
the blood vessels which may cause strokes or mini-strokes due to less oxygen
and less blood flow to the brain. Last Alzheimer’s disease makes so many
changes in the brain. Being aware of the diverse types of dementia can help a
caregiver to understand someone with dementia. It is heartbreaking to see someone
that you know in your family who has dementia.
Being a caregiver takes
so much patience and strength to take care of someone with Alzheimer’s or any
other form of dementia. It is reassuring to have someone wear a dementia
bracelet, medical alert tag, or a GPS tracking bracelet for a family member who
has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Although it is a stressful time for the
family and the caregiver, it is important for everyone to feel safe and
calm in any situation. Caregivers must avoid burnout when taking care of
someone with Alzheimer’s or with any form of dementia. Here are more resources
about the different types of dementia and a website for Alzheimer’s Awareness
Month.
Dementia Society of America-Information Support Research:
Dementia Society of America® | Information Support Research
Understanding Different Types of Dementia-National Institute on Aging:
Understanding Different Types of Dementia | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)
How Many Types of Dementia are There-Stowell Associates:
How Many Types Of Dementia Are There? - Stowell Associates
Alzheimer's Foundation of America-Alzheimer's Awareness Month:
Alzheimer's Foundation of America | Alzheimer’s Awareness Month (alzfdn.org)
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