Dementia is the medical term used to describe altered neurophysiology that results in changes to perception, physical ability and the triad of thinking, reasoning and remembering, which is often thought of as cognition. Dementia can result from a variety of different sources, including Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease or fronto-temporal dementia, all of which affect the cerebral cortex of the brain. This area of the brain controls functions such as hearing, vision, balance and the ability to think and communicate.
Physical Abilities
According to DementiaGuide, changes in the cerebral cortex will cause changes to the ability to balance and be mobile. This means that tasks such as walking, sitting or standing can become increasingly difficult as the disease progresses. This effect on physical abilities also extends to the ability to chew and swallow food. For this reason loved ones who are suffering from dementia may require constant supervision when sitting, standing or even eating and drinking.
Mental Abilities
According to Alzheimer's Australia, the inability to eat will result in weight loss and can also be a consequence of the person's loss of mental function as well as a loss of physical function. In other words, as the person who suffers from dementia loses her ability to think she may forget how to eat or drink or not recognize food. For this reason if your loved one is suffering from dementia it will be important to plan nutritional supplementation with a physician or dietitian to reduce the risk of slow starvation. If your loved one suffers from dementia you will also notice a progressive loss of memory that is often very disturbing to caretakers and family. The loved one may no longer recognize friends and family, which causes a significant stress on those caring for her.
Communication and Behavior
Because of the loss of function in the cerebral cortex and temporal lobes of the brain, loved ones with dementia will lose the ability to control and recognize abstract thought, emotions, memory, language and hearing. According to DementiaGuide, the loss of each of these functions results in an inability to judge situations and communicate, which also affects behavior. The confusion, loss of independence, inability to communicate or perform daily activities on his own will also lead to personality changes in your loved one. He may experience depression, frustration, irritability, sadness and low self-esteem. Your loved one may express himself aggressively, especially toward his caregiver, because of his own frustration with his inability to care for himself.
Caretaking
One of the most devastating results of dementia to the caregivers, friends and families is the loss of the loved one's ability to understand and recognize the underlying reality of her daily life. This changes behavior drastically and completely alters any previous conceptions of her reality. According to Family Caregiver Alliance, this effectively kills your loved one at a level that is perceived by friends and family as greater than a physical death. Caregivers can easily become frustrated, depressed and angry themselves. You must learn the warning signs of frustration and anger when caring for a loved one with dementia to avoid any physical outbursts that can be harmful. Common warning signals that you may be close to losing control are shortness of breath, stomach cramps, chest pain, compulsive eating, excessive alcohol intake, lack of patience, increased smoking or a desire to strike your loved one. Remain self-aware of your frustrations and emotions to avoid potential problems with caregiver abuse.
