As people age, things naturally have a tendency to slow down. The aging body may be stiffer or weaker, feel more aches and pains, and move a little more slowly. Memory can also appear to slow down, even as time seems to speed up.
Occasionally, someone may experience what is popularly called a “senior moment.” Does this mean they are in need of dementia care? No, not now, and not necessarily ever.
Many people have misconceptions about dementia and aren’t sure exactly what it means or what kind of treatment it requires. At The Meadows at Country Place, the assisted living staff knows all about dementia and dementia care, and they’re happy to explain.
Here are definitions of some common terms that may help you understand what dementia is:
- Dementia: Dementia is not a disease itself, but rather a term that to refers to a collection of symptoms, which can be caused by a variety of injuries or diseases, including stroke, Alzheimer’s, Lewy Bodies, and Huntington’s. Dementia is not simply memory lapses. It is some combination of at least two types of mental impairment involving memory loss, language, communication, focus and/or reasoning, which are significant enough to interfere with everyday life.
- Alzheimer’s Disease: This is a progressive disease that damages the brain, causing memory loss and dementia. It is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s becomes more and more severely debilitating as it progresses and is incurable.
- Vascular Dementia: This condition is caused by a stroke and refers to memory loss and brain damage that occurs after the brain is deprived of blood for an extended period of time. Various levels of rehabilitation is possible in many cases.
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Senility: Senile simply means of, relating to, or characteristic of old age. It used to be a widespread, yet inaccurate, belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging, so it was a common practice to mistakenly call dementia senility. People of all ages can experience dementia, and not all persons of advanced age do.
There are many different causes of memory problems. If you or a loved one is experiencing troubling symptoms, visit a doctor to learn the reason. Some causes of dementia-like symptoms can be reversed. If your loved one is found to be actually suffering from dementia and could benefit from specialized dementia care, call The Meadows at Country Place at (916) 706-3949 to make an appointment to discuss assisted living options. Visit their website for additional information about their Sacramento facility.