Introduction
Dementia is a “syndrome caused by chronic and progressive brain diseases which lead to disturbances of higher cognitive functions” (Royston, 2004, p.71). The common behavioral changes noted in patients with dementia include difficulty carrying out familiar duties, misplacing things, changes in mood and personality, memory loss of recent events, and loss of initiative among others (“Learning how to cope…” 2010). In most cases, individuals living with dementia find it difficult to successfully cope with the situation mainly because they lose their autonomy and are forced to depend on their relatives and friends. This paper discusses dementia and it covers the common types of dementia, its impacts and how individuals successfully cope with this condition.
General Outlook of Dementia
Dementia is a condition that describes a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain. This condition is not a specific disease but it is a syndrome describing different symptoms affecting individuals’ memory, thinking as well as social abilities to the extent that it interferes with an individual’s normal functioning (Potocnik, 2013). Notably, dementia shows problems with brain functions including loss of memory and inability to perform daily activities accordingly. Apart from memory loss, other brain functions that are affected include reasoning and judgment, communication and language, mental agility, understanding as well as the ability to focus and pay attention.
Generally, individuals with dementia may lose interest in engaging in their usual activities, and may also not be able to control their emotions. More so, they lose interest in socializing and also some aspects of their personality may change as well. These individuals may not be able to understand or solve problems, become agitated or hallucinate, and say things that are not true. Since dementia interferes with an individual’s mental abilities, people with dementia may find it very challenging to maintain their independence, plan and organize things accordingly. This implies that they have to depend on their relatives or friends to assist them with decision making and also in doing certain activities. In most cases, dementia is noted among old people but this is not an indication that it is a condition that affects the aged and it is not a component of the usual aging process. Dementia is usually progressive and this implies that the symptoms begin to appear slowly and gradually worsen.
How Memories are Lost
Memory loss in the most common symptom of dementia but it is not the sole indicator that a person has dementia. Memories are lost if there is damage to brain cells affecting their ability to communicate with each other normally. Symptoms of memory loss include increased problems with duties that need focus and proper planning, and having problems getting the correct words to use among others. Early identification of dementia is important as it enable individuals with it to start engaging in psychological interventions such as memory retraining earlier enough to help them improve dementia symptoms (Royston, 2004).
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common types of dementia experienced worldwide. It is commonly determined by symptoms such as memory loss and difficulty in planning and performing their usual activities. This type of dementia is known to start with memory loss. At first, the symptoms are mild but with time, they get worse and a person may become more confused, develop communication problems, show poor judgment, and have personality changes and so on. In the early stages, recognizable symptoms of this condition include repletion and getting lost frequently. Extended stress is also one significant factor that makes this disease worse because it leads to increased disappointment and depression.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is also common and it usually commence with poor judgment, problems with planning, organizing, and making decisions. Other symptoms of this type of dementia include being agitated, communication and language problems, memory problems, and difficulty in recognizing familiar sights and sounds among others. In addition, vascular dementia can result in fluctuating intellectual and changes in personality (Potocnik, 2013). This type of dementia is as a result of illnesses like stroke in the brain that interferes with the brain’s normal functions. Although there are various symptoms of this condition, its signs largely depend on which part of the brain has been interfered with. It is also caused by factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol (“Learning how to cope…” 2010).
Impact on individual and the family
Effects of Alzheimer’s disease include reduced self-esteem and positive self-image with in turn causes social isolation. This condition also forces individuals to lose independence and start depending on others in most cases because it greatly influences a person’s ability to function normally and carry out their familiar duties effectively. In addition, individuals with Alzheimer’s diseases experience mood changes. Moreover, those suffering from Alzheimer are not able to work as they used to and so they may find themselves having financial problems especially due to the rising costs of care. The changes in their lives make them feel a loss of control and increases anxiety about what awaits them in the future.
The family or the caregivers of patients with dementia face various challenges in their attempt to create a safe and supportive environment. According to Goodman (2005), relatives are the main care providers for individuals with dementia living at home. They experience burnout and depression in the process of providing care to their loved ones with this condition (“Learning how to cope…” 2010). In some cases, family members may not be able to take their patient to care centers because of financial problems and so they choose to stay with them at home and give them support they need to cope with the situation.
How individuals successfully cope with the condition
Some people find it very difficult to live with dementia due to its symptoms and impacts. However, there are various ways through which individuals with dementia can successfully cope with the condition. First, people with dementia cope with the condition by engaging in physical exercise. Being active in physical activities is very important for those individuals with this condition as it reduces the risk of other forms of dementia. Individuals should ensure that engage in activities that stimulate their brain so as to deal with certain symptoms of dementia (“Learning how to cope…” 2010). They should remain active and occupied by continuing enjoying their hobbies and interests to help them maintain their interest in life. Second, interacting with friends and relatives helps people with dementia to successfully cope with the situation. They should ensure that they maintain a social life because this will help them being active and stimulated. This is because they will be able to share with them about the condition and so the family members and friends would like to help and provide necessary support if they are not isolated. In some cases, individuals find it difficult to talk about their condition and this makes it very difficult for others to help them or to give them the support they need.
Managing stress is another way which individuals with dementia adapt to successfully deal with the symptoms of this condition. Reduced stress can help them maintain a positive emotional and physical perspective of life. Therefore, individuals with dementia can maintain a positive outlook of life by avoiding stress and getting enough sleep. Self care is an important part of daily life and so individuals with dementia should take care of their health and wellbeing, maintain good physical and mental health to reduce the risk of other types of dementia. Staying stress-free is one way to remain relaxed and successfully deal with the dementia and its symptoms. In addition, these individuals need to learn to control their cholesterol intake so as to stay healthy and reduce the risk of other forms of dementia. More so, consulting a mental health professional is important as it will assist individuals with dementia to successfully cope with the situation. A mental health professional can come up with a treatment plan to help these individuals meet their specific needs, regain a sense of control over their lives, and enhance their quality of life. In addition, people with dementia can make use of antidepressants and psychotherapy to help them cope especially if they are very depressed.
Further, individuals can maintain good general health and proper nutrition to improve their lives while living with dementia. They can also plan their daily activities and develop a routine with which they can become familiar. They can adjust to activities which allow them to participate as much as possible. In addition, individuals with dementia can successfully cope with the condition by joining a local support group or get individual or family counseling. Arguably, end of life care in dementia is suboptimal coping mechanism of this condition, and this normally happens if an individual is not able to successfully cope with the situation and the only opt for dying and freeing themselves from the demoralizing symptoms and effects of dementia.
Conclusion
Dementia is a common psychological condition that affects the lives of individuals, and it is not a specific disease but a syndrome caused by illnesses that affect the brain and its abilities to an extent that the normal brain functions are impaired. The most common brain functions affected include memory loss, understanding, language, and judgment among others. Notably, individuals with dementia exhibit behaviors such as memory loss, problems performing familiar activities, changes in mood and personality, and isolation among others. Normally, memories are lost if the brain cells as disturbed or damaged and their normal functioning affected. Alzheimer’s disease starts with loss of memory as a common symptom during its early stages. In contrast, vascular dementia commences poor judgment and inability to make decisions accordingly. Dementia has various impacts on individuals living with it some of which include reduced self-esteem, increased dependency, and isolation. More so, it has effects on the family members of the patient because they have to take care of their patient and ensure that they create a safe and supportive environment. In overall, individuals living with dementia can successfully cope with the condition by being physically, mentally, and socially active as a way of improving symptoms of dementia and living quality life.
References
“Learning how to cope with dementia.” (2010). Healthy Years 7.10: 6.
Goodman, C. (2005). Dementia. Primary Health Care, 15(5), 8.
Potocnik F.C. (2013). Dementia. South African Journal of Psychiatry. 19.3 : 141-152.
Royston, C. (2004). Diagnosing early dementia — cornerstone for change. Pulse, 64(36), 70-72.