Different Types of Dementia (Alzheimer's Awareness Month 2022)


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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