Dementia is a degenerative neurological condition characterized by changes in behavior and cognitive function. The Mayo Clinic notes that certain criteria must be met to reach a diagnosis of dementia, with the patient experiencing problems with two or more brain functions. For example, the patient can have memory loss with language problems, or memory loss with impaired judgment. As the symptoms of dementia progress, the cognitive functions decline, resulting in the patient being unable to care for herself anymore.
Memory Loss
The hallmark symptom of dementia is memory loss, according to the Mayo Clinic. The memory loss from dementia affects the patient in two ways: through recalling stored memories (retrograde memory problems) and learning new memories (anterograde memory problems). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that as dementia progresses, the patient forgets information about his life and recent events. When the patient advances to the later stages of dementia, he is no longer able to remember his family members.
Language Problems
Language is another cognitive function that is changed by dementia. The Mayo Clinic states that the language problems that arise from dementia make it difficult for the patient to communicate. In the early stage of dementia, the patient has trouble finding names for familiar objects, according to the NIH. As the dementia advances, the patient has increasing difficulty expressing herself verbally, resulting in the patient speaking in confusing sentences. The patient can also have problems reading or writing. In the late stage of dementia, the patient can no longer understand written or spoken language.
Impaired Judgment
Judgment becomes increasingly impaired with dementia. The Mayo Clinic notes that the patient loses his ability to reason in the mid to late stages of dementia. The NIH adds that the patient has poor judgment and is no longer able to recognize danger.
