1. Isolate the Cause
Dementia itself is not a medical condition, but rather a series of symptoms caused by something else. Before you can treat dementia, your doctor needs to determine exactly what is causing it. Alzheimer's disease is a common cause of dementia, but it can also be rooted in a stroke, a brain tumor, a head injury, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, severe nutritional deficiencies and drug and alcohol abuse. Not all of these conditions are treatable, though there are steps to help cope with them. A doctor can review the history of your symptoms, perform neurological examinations, test the severity of the dementia and rule out any alternate causes. Once that is complete, you can proceed with any required treatment or coping process.
2. Reverse the Source
Some types of dementia are degenerative and cannot be treated. Other types, however, have a reversible root cause, which will reduce or eliminate the dementia once it is addressed. A tumor or malign growth can be surgically removed. Imbalances in your body's metabolism such as low blood sugar and poor nutrition can be treated with a shift in diet. Drug or alcohol abuse requires detoxification followed by a period of rehabilitation and recovery. Liver or pancreatic difficulties may be tougher to treat, but can still be reversed in certain cases. Exact treatment depends on the cause itself, so make sure the doctor has conclusively determined what it is first.
3. Ask About Medication
Many forms of dementia are not treatable. In those cases, steps can be taken to slow the progress of the condition which is causing it. Medication is available for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which can improve cognition and help maintain self-sufficiency. Other medications can treat individual facets of dementia such as sleeping disorders, depression or difficulties with movement. Dementia caused by vascular problems can sometimes be treated with medication for high blood pressure, while reversible forms of dementia may use medication to help eliminate the cause. Because medication varies so widely, it is extremely important to determine the true source of the dementia first.
4. Prepare for Long-Term Support
In irreversible cases of dementia, you will need to think about safety and health considerations over the long term. This may require moving into a care facility set up to handle your needs. Or you may be able to remain in your home with the help of a relative or qualified caregiver. Make sure that any caregiver is well versed in your condition and knows what to expect. Your caregiver should also take steps to make your home safe, provide adequate resources for your condition and handle any legal or financial arrangements necessary. As with all case of dementia, the specifics will depend on your individual circumstances, the severity of the symptoms and the causes behind them.
