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Information about dementia for carers
This Factsheet sets out information about dementia which might help you understand the person with dementia better while carrying out your caring role.
What is dementia?
Dementia occurs as a result of a disease process. It is a term used to describe different brain disorders that have in common loss of brain function, which is usually progressive and eventually severe. Dementia affects memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion.
Dementia affects all groups in society and is not linked with social class, gender, ethnic group or geographical location. Although dementia is more common among older people, younger people can also be affected.
What causes dementia?
Dementia is a physical (not mental) disease that produces changes in the brain resulting in the ultimate loss of nerve cells (neurons). These diseases include:-
Alzheimer's disease
This is the most common cause of dementia and accounts for 50% - 60% of all cases of dementia. It destroys brain cells and nerves disrupting the transmitters that carry messages in the brain, particularly those responsible for storing memories.
Vascular dementia
The brain relies on a network of vessels to bring it oxygen-bearing blood. If the oxygen supply to the brain fails, brain cells are likely to die and this can cause the symptoms of vascular dementia. These symptoms can occur either suddenly, following a stroke, or over time through a series of small strokes (trans ischemic attacks - known as TIAs).
Dementia with Lewy bodies
This form of dementia gets its name from tiny spherical structures that develop inside nerve cells. Their presence in the brain leads to the degeneration of brain tissue. Memory, concentration and language skills are affected.
Fronto-temporal dementia (including Pick's disease)
In fronto-temporal dementia, damage is usually focused in the front part of the brain. Personality and behaviour are initially more affected than memory.
Rarer causes of dementia
There are many other rarer causes of dementia, including progressive supranuclear palsy, Korsakoff's syndrome, Binswanger's disease, HIV and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). People with Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's Disease can also be at an increased risk of developing dementia as are people with Down's Syndrome.
What are the symptoms of dementia?
Dementia is a progressive condition. This means that the structure and chemistry of the brain become increasingly damaged over time. The person's ability to remember, understand, communicate and reason gradually declines. How quickly dementia progresses depends on the individual. Each person is unique and experiences dementia in their own way.
The way people experience dementia depends on many factors, including physical make-up, emotional resilience and the support available to them. Viewing dementia as a series of stages can be a useful way to understand the illness, but it is important to realise that this only provides a rough guide to the progress of the condition and not all people will display all of these symptoms.
Some of these symptoms may appear in any of the stages, for example a behaviour listed in the late stage may occur in the middle stage. Also, carers should be aware that in all stages, short, lucid periods can occur.
The following outlines the characteristics of early, middle and late stage Alzheimer's disease, and briefly looks at other dementias. For more detailed information on each type of dementia read the Types of Dementia section of the website.
Alzheimer's disease
Early stage
The early stage is often overlooked and incorrectly
labelled by professionals, relatives and friends as 'old age' or a
normal part of the process of ageing. Because the onset of the
disease is gradual, it is difficult to identify the exact time it
begins.
The person may:-
• Show difficulties with language
• Experience significant memory loss - especially short-term
• Be disoriented in time
• Become lost in familiar places
• Display difficulty in making decisions
• Lack initiative and motivation
• Show signs of depression and aggression
• Show a loss of interest in hobbies and activities
Middle stage
As the disease progresses, problems become more evident
and restricting. The person with dementia has difficulty with
day-to-day living, and:-
• May become very forgetful - especially of recent events and
peoples' names
• Can no longer manage to live alone without problems
• Is less able to cook, clean or shop
• May become extremely dependent
• Needs assistance with personal hygiene, ie. toilet, washing and
dressing
• Has increased difficulty with speech
• Becomes lost at home and in the community
• May experience hallucinations
Late stage
This stage is one of total dependence and inactivity.
Memory disturbances are very serious and the physical side of the
disease becomes more obvious. The person may:-
• Have difficulty eating
• Not recognise relatives, friends, and familiar objects
• Have difficulty understanding and interpreting events
• Be unable to find their way around in the home
• Have difficulty walking
• Have bladder and bowel incontinence
• Display inappropriate behaviour in public
• Be confined to a wheelchair or bed
Vascular dementia
Some people with vascular dementia find that symptoms
remain steady for a time and then suddenly decline as the result of
another stroke (or TIA). This contrasts with the gradual decline
many people with Alzheimer's disease experience. It is sometimes
difficult to determine whether people have Alzheimer's or vascular
dementia. It is also possible to be affected by both.
Fronto-temporal lobe dementia (including Pick's
disease)
During the early stages the memory may be unaffected.
However, there may be other changes. For example, the person may
seem more selfish and unfeeling. They may behave rudely, or may
seem more easily distracted - in other words, they may lose their
social skills. Other symptoms may include loss of inhibition,
ritualised behaviour and a liking for sweet foods. In later stages
the symptoms are more similar to those experienced in Alzheimer's
disease.
Dementia with Lewy bodies
Half or more of those affected also develop signs and
symptoms of Parkinson's disease such as slowness of movement,
stiffness and tremor. They may also have difficulty in judging
distances and are more prone to falls. People with this dementia
also commonly experience visual hallucinations. One feature of this
dementia that often puzzles carers is that the abilities of the
affected person often fluctuate.
Why is diagnosis important?
It is important to get a proper timely diagnosis of
dementia. A diagnosis is essential to:-
• Rule out other conditions that may have symptoms similar to dementia and that may be treatable. These include depression, chest and urinary infections, severe constipation, vitamin and thyroid deficiencies and brain tumours.
• Get access to advice, information and support.
• Allow the person with dementia and carer to prepare and plan for the future.
Identifying the cause of dementia is becoming increasingly important as more drugs for treating different dementias become available.
There is no simple test to make a diagnosis. Making a diagnosis of dementia is often difficult, particularly in the early stages. A diagnosis is made by taking a careful history of the person's problems from a close relative or friend, together with an examination of the person's physical and mental status.
Are there treatments for dementia?
At the moment there is no cure, although many of the
problems associated with dementia such as restlessness and
depression can be treated. However, there is a great deal that can
be done for the person with dementia as well as things to ease the
burden on you, the carer. Consult your GP, social worker or other
health professional for more information.
There are some drugs available for people with dementia. These drugs are not a cure but may temporarily slow down the progression of symptoms, however, they are not suitable for everybody. Contact the Memory Clinic or your GP for more information.
Living with and caring for a person with dementia
Caring can be very difficult at times. However, there are
ways to deal with the situation. Here are some tips that have
worked for other carers:-
Establish routines but keep things normal
A routine can decrease the decisions you will need to
make and bring order and structure into an otherwise confused daily
life. A routine may come to represent security for the person with
dementia. Although a routine can be helpful, it is important to
keep things as normal as possible. Treat the person as you did
before the disease as much as their changing condition will
allow.
Support the person's independence
It is essential that the person remains independent as
long as possible. It helps to maintain their self respect and
decreases the burden on you.
Help the person maintain dignity
Remember that the person you care for is still an
individual with feelings. What you and others say and do can be
disturbing. Avoid talking about the person's condition in their
presence without involving them in the conversation.
Avoid confrontation
Any type of conflict causes unnecessary stress on you and
the person with dementia. Avoid drawing attention to failure and
maintain a calm composure. Becoming upset can only make the
situation worse. Remember it is the disease, not the person's,
fault.
Simplify tasks
Try to make things simple for the person with dementia.
Don't offer too many choices. For example, in the early stages of
the disease, the person may be able to dress themselves but as the
disease progresses you will need to guide them and, eventually,
clothe the person yourself.
Maintain a sense of humour
Laugh with the person with dementia. Humour can be a
great stress reliever.
Make safety important
Loss of physical co-ordination and memory increase the
chance of injury, so you should make your home as safe as possible.
Jersey Alzheimer's Association has a selection of Factsheets on how
to make the home 'dementia friendly' in the Safety in the
Home section of this website.
Encourage fitness and health
In many cases, this can help maintain the person's
existing physical and mental abilities for a time. Appropriate
exercise depends on the person's condition. Consult your GP or
Occupational Therapist for advice.
Help make the best of a person's existing
abilities
Planned activities can enhance a person's sense of
dignity and self-worth by giving purpose and meaning to life. A
person who was once a homemaker, gardener, doctor or business
executive may gain satisfaction from maintaining abilities related
to their previous profession. Remember, however, that because
dementia is progressive, the person's likes, dislikes and abilities
may change over time. This will require you to be observant and
flexible in planning activities.
Jersey Alzheimer's Association has Factsheets on ideas for activities.
Maintain communication
As the disease progresses, communication between you and
the person can become more difficult. It may be helpful if
you:-
• Make sure the person's senses are not impaired, such as eyesight and hearing (eg spectacles may no longer be of the right prescription, or a hearing aid may not be functioning properly)
• Speak clearly, slowly, face to face and at eye level
• Show love and warmth by showing affection if this is comfortable for the person
• Pay attention to the person's body language - people whose verbal language is impaired communicate through non-verbal means
• Be aware of your own body language
• Find out what combination of word reminders, or prompting words, guidance and demonstration is needed to communicate effectively with the person
• Make sure you have the person's attention before speaking
Also see our Communication and How to Communicate by Different Means Factsheets on helping with communication.
Use memory aids
In the early stages of dementia, memory aids can help the
person to remember, and they can help prevent confusion. The
following are successful examples:-
• Display large clearly-labelled pictures of relatives so the person can keep track of who is who
• Label doors of rooms with words and bright distinctive colours
Memory aids will not be so useful in the later stages of dementia
Practical tips on managing dementia
The following suggestions are taken from the experiences
of carers. You may find some difficult to carry out. Remember,
nobody is perfect. You can only do your best and what works one day
may not work the next day, or vice-versa.
Bathing and personal hygiene
The person with dementia may forget to bathe, or no
longer recognise the need, or may have forgotten what to do. In
this situation it is important to respect the person's dignity when
offering to help.
Suggestions:-
• Maintain the person's former routine for washing as much as possible
• Try to make bathing a pleasant and relaxing occasion
• A shower may be easier than a bath but if the person has not been used to a shower it may seem alarming
• Simplify the task as much as possible
• If the person refuses to bathe, try again a little later, when the mood may have changed
• Check if teeth are being cleaned regularly
• Allow the person to do as much as possible unaided
• If the person appears embarrassed, keeping portions of the body covered while bathing may be helpful
• Think about safety. Something firm to hold on to, such as support rails, a non-slip mat or an extra chair all help
• If bathing leads to conflict, a stand-up wash might be better
• If you constantly have problems helping with this, get someone else to do it
Also see our Hygiene factsheet.
Dressing
The person with dementia may forget how to dress and may
not recognise the need to change clothes. People with dementia
sometimes appear in public with inappropriate clothing.
Suggestions:-
• Lay out clothes in the order they are to be put on
• Avoid clothes with complicated fastenings
• Encourage independence in dressing as long as possible
• Use repetition if necessary
• Use non-skid rubber-soled shoes
Read our Dressing factsheet for more information
Using the toilet
The person with dementia may lose the ability to
recognise when to go to the toilet, where the toilet is or what to
do when in the toilet.
Suggestions:-
• Create a schedule for going to the toilet
• Make the toilet door more obvious by using bright colours and large letters
• Leave the toilet door open so it is easy to find
• Make sure clothing can be easily removed
• Limit drinks within reason before bed time
• Providing a chamber pot or commode by the bedside may be helpful
• Get professional advice from the Continence and Urotherapy Service at Overdale; incontinence is not an inevitable result of dementia and should occur relatively late in the prognosis.
For more information read our Incontinence factsheet.
Cooking
For the person with dementia, the ability to cook may be
lost in the middle stages. This poses problems with an increased
risk of injury if the person lives alone. Poor physical
co-ordination can lead to burns and cuts.
Suggestions:-
• Assess how well the person can do their own cooking
• Enjoy cooking as a shared activity
• Install safety devices, for example change from gas to electricity, but remember that a person with dementia has difficulty learning new skills so try to replace an old model with a new one of the same style. Contact Jersey Gas for free advice and safety checks on 01534 755500
• Remove sharp utensils
• Provide meals, or meal service, and try to see that enough nutritious food is eaten. See our Factsheet on Meal Delivery Services for more information.
Eating
People with dementia often forget if they have eaten, or
how to use utensils. In the later stages of dementia the person may
need to be fed. Some physical problems will arise such as not being
able to chew properly or swallow.
Suggestions:-
• You may have to remind the person how to eat. Sitting with them so they can 'mirror' your movements will encourage them.
• Use finger food - it can be easier to manage and not as messy.
• Use contrasting coloured crockery so that food is clearly visible; for example, do not put mashed potato, white fish and cauliflower cheese on a white plate.
• Cut up food in small pieces to prevent choking. In the late stages of the disease, it may be necessary to mash or liquidise all food
• Remind the person to eat slowly
• Be aware that the person may not be able to sense hot or cold, and may burn their mouth on hot foods or liquids
• When the person has difficulty swallowing, consult your GP or speech therapist to learn techniques to stimulate swallowing
Read our Eating factsheet for more information
Driving
It could be dangerous for the person with dementia to
drive, since judgment is impaired and reactions are slowed.
Suggestions:-
• Discuss the subject with the person gently
• Suggest using public transport, as appropriate
• If you cannot dissuade the person from driving, it may be necessary to consult the GP, Memory Clinic or the Parish Hall.
Alcohol and cigarettes
There is no problem with the person with dementia
drinking alcohol in moderation, if it does not cause complications
with medication. Cigarettes introduce a greater danger because of
the risk of fire.
Suggestions:-
• Supervise the person when smoking
• Check alcohol and medication with your doctor
Difficulty sleeping
The person with dementia may be restless at night and
disturb the family. This can be the most exhausting problem for
carers.
Suggestions:-
• Try to discourage sleeping during the day
• Try daily long walks, and add more physical activity during the day
• Try to make the person as comfortable as possible at bedtime
• If a person does get up in the night make sure they are not at risk; for example, switch off cookers at the mains; make sure dangerous substances are locked away.
For more information read our Sleeplessness factsheet.
Repetitive behaviour
A person with dementia may forget what they have said
from one moment to the next, leading to repetitive questioning and
actions.
Suggestions:-
• Try to distract the person and suggest something else to see, hear or do
• Write down the answer to commonly asked questions
• Give hugs and reassure with affection, if appropriate for the person
For more information read our Repetition factsheet.
Clinging
The person with dementia may become extremely dependent
on you and follow you everywhere. This can be frustrating,
difficult to handle, and rob you of your privacy. The person may
act this way as a result of feeling insecure and fear that when you
leave, you will not return.
Suggestions:-
• Provide something to occupy his/her attention while you step away
• You may want to call on a family member, friend or sitting service to give you some privacy
Losing things and accusations of theft
The person with dementia may often forget where objects
were placed. In some cases they will accuse you and others of
taking missing objects. This behaviour is caused by insecurity
combined with a sense of loss of control and of memory.
Suggestions:-
• Discover if the person has a favourite hiding place
• Keep replacements of important items, eg keys
• Check waste baskets before emptying them
• Respond to the person's accusations gently - not defensively
• Agree with the person that the item is lost and help find it
For more information read our Mistrust and Suspicion factsheet.
Delusions and hallucinations
It is not uncommon for the person with dementia to
experience delusions and hallucinations. A delusion is a fixed
false belief. For example, the person may hold the false belief of
being under threat of harm from the carer, a family member or
visitor. To the person with dementia the delusion is very
real and causes fear, and may result in distressing self-protective
behaviour.
If the person is experiencing an hallucination, he/she might see or hear things that are not there; for instance, figures at the foot of the bed, or people talking in the room.
Suggestions:-
• Do not argue with the person about the validity of what is seen or heard
• When the person is frightened try to give comfort. Your calm voice and gently holding a hand can be comforting
• Distract the person by drawing attention to something real in the room
• Check with your doctor about medications that are being used, these may contribute to the problem
Read more in our Hallucinations factsheet.
Sexual relationships
Dementia does not usually affect sexual relationships,
but the person's attitude may alter. Gentle cuddling and holding
may be mutually satisfying, and will let you know if the person is
able or inclined to engage in further intimacy. It is wise to be
patient. The person may not respond in the same way as before, or
may seem to lose interest. For some couples, sexual intimacy
continues to be a satisfying part of their relationship.
The opposite may occur, too. The person may make excessive demands for sex, or behave in a manner that makes you feel uncomfortable. You may feel guilty about needing or wanting to sleep separately.
Suggestions:-
• Seek help from other carers or professionals you trust
• There are people with special skills in this area, such as psychologists, social workers or counsellors who can provide advice and guidance
• Don't be afraid to discuss these and related issues with a professional who is trained to understand and help you manage them.
Inappropriate sexual behaviour
The person with dementia may display inappropriate sexual
behaviour, but it is rare. Behaviour may include undressing in
public, fondling the genitals, or touching someone in an
inappropriate way. It may be something simple such as the person
needing the toilet or wishing to go to bed.
Suggestions:-
• Try not to over-react to the behaviour - remember it is the disease taking effect
• Try to distract the person to another activity
• If the person removes clothing, gently discourage the behaviour, and try to distract the person
• If it persists and is troubling, seek help from a professional
Leaving the house
This can be a worrying problem that you may need to
manage. People with dementia may walk around the home or leave the
house and walk around the neighbourhood. They may get lost. Safety
is a primary concern when the person with dementia is out in public
alone. This is sometimes referred to as 'wandering', but people
with dementia do not wander, they always believe they have a valid
reason for leaving the house.
Suggestions:-
• Make sure the person carries some form of identification. Jersey Alzheimer's Association has Helpcards for the person with dementia and the carer
• Make sure your home is secure and that the person is safe in your home and cannot leave without you knowing
• When the person is found, avoid showing anger - speak calmly, with acceptance and love
• It is helpful to keep an up-to-date photograph in case the person gets lost and you must ask for help from others
For more information read the Moving About, Leaving Home factsheet.
Violence and aggression
From time to time, the person may become angry,
aggressive or violent. This can happen for a variety of reasons
such as sense of loss of social control and judgment, being told to
do something they do not want to do, loss of the ability to express
negative feelings safely, and loss of the ability to understand the
actions of others. This is one of the most difficult things to cope
with as a carer.
Suggestions:-
• Keep calm, try not to show fear or alarm
• Try to draw the person's attention to a calming activity
• Give the person more space and leave them for a while
• Find out what caused the reaction - and try to avoid it in the future
• If violence occurs often, you will need to seek help. Talk to someone for support, and speak to your GP or the Memory Clinic about help in managing the person
For more information read our Aggressive Behaviour factsheet.
Depression and anxiety
The person with dementia may experience depression and be
withdrawn and unhappy, and will speak, act and think slowly. This
can affect the daily routine and interest in food.
Suggestions:-
• Speak to your GP, who may be able to help by way of medication or offer a referral to a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist
• Give more love and support to the person
• Don't expect the person to snap out of the depression