Dementia: how to recognize the first symptoms.

Dementia it is the loss of mental abilities in at least two areas, such as the ability to remember, speak, perceive, Orient in space, and make logical inferences.

Nearly 5% of the world's population faces it. Unfortunately, this number is growing year after year, and it is estimated that by 2050. the number of patients exceeds 130 million. The situation in our country is no better. It is registered in 8% of Serbian residents over 65 years of age.

Although dementia is on the rise, the disease is not recent. It was reported by the ancient Greeks as normal during aging, while the Roman statesman Cicero considered it to affect only mentally weak people. Which means that it can be avoided by people who are intellectually active in old age.

In the course of history dementia it is associated with other diseases. That's at 19. the age of cerebral atherosclerosis and the early 20th century. century of schizophrenia. It was not until the 1960s that a link was discovered between neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline due to aging that was used to diagnose senility, as it is also called.

What are the causes of dementia?

According to the type of cause of dementia is divided into two groups.

Primary is caused by degenerative changes in nerve cells in the brain due to certain diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's. The most severe form is Alzheimer's disease, which is also the most widespread. It accounts for about 50% of all dementia.

Secondary they cause other health problems that affect psychomotor deceleration. Depression, hormonal imbalance, stroke, pneumonia, certain infections, AIDS are just some of the risk factors. Also, a bad way of life is classified as a challenger. Namely, a diet based on foods poor in vitamins and excessive consumption of alcohol and psychoactive substances leads to the deterioration of brain tissue, which creates suitable conditions for the development of dementia.

How is dementia recognized?

Dementia it is often detected at a later stage because forgetfulness is explained by age, fatigue, or stress.

The first sign of dementia problems with short-term memory. Usually it is forgetting the date, the day of the week, the name Zatim then it goes to forgetting about doing everyday household activities, harder to find the right words. They are accompanied by a lack of concentration and focus, so it is not rare for a person to repeat the sentences they have already said several times during the conversation.

Dementia it is also characterized by a change in mood – ranging from apathy and depression, through mistrust and suspicion, to irritability and aggressiveness. At a later stage, disorientation occurs in space, first in an unknown, and then in a familiar environment, including one's own home. The last stage brings serious problems. Patients are bedridden, almost non-communicative, and have no control over physiological actions.

The benefits of personal home care the demented person

Care of old faces dementia is a challenge for family members. Not only does it require a good organization of an all-day routine, but also knowledge and experience that many do not have. The best solution is home personal care of old faces. It involves medical staff and caregivers who know how to react in each situation to avoid inconvenience.

The plan of activity depends on whether it is the care of an easily demented, moderately demented or severely demented person. In this way, an individual approach is determined in order to maintain a certain level of independence as long as possible.

Home care it's not just about personal hygiene and prepare meals, but also a number of activities that have a beneficial effect on slowing the progression of the disease. These include memory board games that preserve mental health and cognitive function, easy walks, and, above all,, company.

Care Center for the elderly and sick MinuteNurse Home health & care he has decades of experience in work. Our caring team is characterized by patience in helping people with dementia, encouraging them to adapt to every change in life in the best way possible.