Dementia is an illness that often affects older adults. Many aging individuals have been diagnosed with dementia. If you have an older loved one, you may be unsure of how to make sure your family member is receiving the proper care. You might also be concerned about possible illnesses and things that could affect your aging loved one. But, the most important thing to do is find out more about the illnesses that are commonly seen in older adults. One of them is dementia. You can take a look at some of the risk factors for dementia to find out how you can help your loved one stay in the best possible health. Why don’t we discuss some of those factors and ways you can make sure your loved one gets the best care? Let’s take a look now.
A Little Information About Dementia
One thing that is important to note about dementia is the fact that it isn’t a disease. That is, dementia itself isn’t a disease. It’s actually a syndrome and the word “dementia” is used as an umbrella for different symptoms and illnesses. In other words, dementia is is actually a set of cognitive diseases. There are many types of dementia. One of the most commonly known types is Alzheimer’s disease. Other kinds of dementia include:
- Vascular Dementia
- Lewy Body Dementia
- Frontotemporal Dementia
Usually, dementia is characterized by thinking and social symptoms. People who suffer from these symptoms experience things like memory loss, difficulties in thinking and issues with solving problems. In addition to these problems, some people might experience issues with speaking. Many individuals have trouble speaking clearly or the illness causes them to have jumbled speech. Often, those who are dealing with dementia struggle to carry out everyday activities and tasks. Sometimes, older adults who have a type of dementia may have a hard time walking and moving around because of the weakening effect this illness has on the individual’s body. Some people who have a type of dementia experience more falls than others. Dementia can also cause people to have emotional problems. Depression, paranoia, anxiety, moodiness and loneliness are often seen in those who are suffering from this disorder.
The Risk Factors for Dementia
One of the best ways to learn more about an illness or disease it to learn about the effects of it. But, it’s also very helpful to gain information about the things that could make it more likely for a person to develop that particular illness. So, let’s take a look at some of the risk factors for dementia. Here are a few of them:
- Age is considered to be one of the biggest risk factors for dementia. As people grow older, the risk for developing dementia becomes higher.
- Depression often leads to dementia. If an individual suffers from this problem, it may be likely that he or she will deal with a type of dementia.
- Diabetes can lead to dementia.
- Smoking is often thought to be one of the things that can lead to dementia.
If you have an older adult in your life who is dealing with diabetes, it’s important to make sure they get the medical attention and care they need. Encourage older smokers in your life to end the habit. If a loved one is dealing with depression, it may be helpful to get professional help for them. A caregiver who provides companionship may also be helpful.
Perhaps you have a senior in your life who is currently living with dementia. You may be unsure of how to help him or her. We here at Florida First Senior Home Care understand the challenges you may be facing as you seek the best care for your aging loved one. That’s why we offer a caregiver referral service. Call 561-279-5470 to learn more about our services.
