Understanding Dementia: Symptoms, Stages, and Evolving Care Needs

Dementia is a deeply personal journey that requires close care and the proactive attention of family and friends. Many face questions about the future and how best to preserve their loved one’s dignity. 

Understanding dementia and the care that’s needed is a powerful way to provide compassionate, effective support. That starts with collecting the right information and seeking adequate resources so you can make informed decisions early on. 

At The Pillars of Hermantown, we walk alongside families of loved ones facing dementia, helping them preserve dignity and gain independence. The following guide will cover the basics of dementia and when it’s the right time to consider a professional memory care approach. 

What Dementia Is and What Dementia Isn’t

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe conditions that affect memory, behavior, thinking, and the ability to perform daily activities. Occasional forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging, but dementia specifically involves a progressive decline. Dementia interferes with daily life and relationships in a way simple forgetfulness does not. 

Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s: What’s the Difference?

If dementia is an umbrella, then Alzheimer’s disease is underneath it. Rather than differing from dementia, Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. It accounts for the majority of dementia diagnoses. Alzheimer’s and the other types of dementia affect the brain in different ways.

Types of Dementia

• Alzheimer’s disease: worsening memory loss and trouble with language that affects daily life, risk increases in adults over age 65.

• Frontotemporal dementia: affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain that govern personality, reasoning, language, and behavior. This accounts for around 10 percent of all dementia cases. 

• Lewy body dementia: abnormal proteins called Lewy bodies develop in the brain, affecting thinking and movement. People with Lewy body dementia suffer from Parkinson’s-like symptoms as well as memory loss.

• Vascular dementia: injuries or diseases reduce blood flow, starving the brain of oxygen and negatively impacting thinking skills. Symptoms include speech issues, memory loss, vision loss, and disorientation. After Alzheimer’s, this is the second most common type of dementia. 

Dementia Symptoms: What to Look For

Identifying dementia symptoms early on will allow you to better plan, find support, and obtain treatment sooner. Dementia symptoms can be split into two categories: cognitive and behavioral/psychological. 

Cognitive Symptoms

• Issues problem-solving or planning

• Difficulty following familiar routines or managing finances 

• Frequently misplacing items

• Confusion about place or time

Behavioral/Psychological Symptoms

• Noticeable personality changes

• Extreme mood swings

• Increased agitation, suspicion, or anxiety

• Social withdrawal

• Restlessness or wandering 

When Should I Consult a Doctor?

Early dementia diagnosis can help rule out treatable conditions and provide clarity for planning and support. If these symptoms stand out to you, you may want to consult a doctor, especially if you or a loved one are over the age of 65. 

Dementia Stages: What to Expect

There are typically seven stages of dementia recognized by researchers. For the purposes of this guide, we will segment them into three primary stages: early, middle, and severe.  

Early Stage

The early stages of dementia can sometimes appear mild, as many people will maintain independence during this time. Here, daily life is largely unaffected, but that does not mean there won’t be setbacks. 

Individuals with early dementia still need a certain level of attention. This is the time to begin finding care for the present and planning for how care will look down the road. 

Middle Stage

In this stage, you’ll typically notice cognitive changes. People with middle-stage dementia face difficulty with daily tasks, confusion in social settings, and increased memory lapses. Anxiety and interpersonal struggles related to the disease can begin to set in. 

If a plan for memory care is not already set up, this is definitely the time to do it. Regular professional support can help the individual maintain a sense of self and perform tasks they may otherwise struggle to perform. 

Severe Stage

This stage can pose significant challenges and requires the utmost care. Individuals may experience difficulty recognizing their loved ones. They may have paranoia or delusional thoughts. Other symptoms to expect include difficulty understanding language or even the inability to speak entirely. 

Late in the severe stage of dementia, individuals will require around-the-clock care. Care and support in this stage will focus on ensuring comfort and quality of life. That will include adhering to pain relief needs, prioritizing human contact, and providing pleasant surroundings.  

Evolving Care Needs: When to Seek Professional Care

While dementia patients need a doctor’s care from the initial diagnosis and onward, when you seek community care may differ depending on each case. 

Benefits of Seeking Early Support

Regular support from an assisted living program can be beneficial to individuals early on. Early support can help establish habits that strengthen cognitive focus and memory as decline begins to occur. 

Exploring options prior to mid-to-late-stage dementia can also better equip family members to have the tools necessary to face dementia challenges.  

Transitioning to Memory Care

Memory care programs at senior care communities bring a lot of value to lives impacted by dementia. These communities are designed specifically for individuals with the disease. There, residents will benefit from structured routines, meaningful activities, and a supportive environment. 

While every case is different, signs that may point to your loved one’s need for professional memory care include:

• Frequent falls

• Wandering or getting lost often

• Complex medical needs

• Difficulty bathing or dressing

• Forgetting meals

• Hallucinations

Trained memory care staff know how to handle these situations. They can provide daily, consistent aid tailored to the individual’s needs.

Connect With Our Team to Learn About Our Senior Living Services

At The Pillars of Hermantown, we understand the positive impact a thoughtful memory care community can offer. Our memory care residents benefit from one-on-one care, a low staff-to-resident ratio, and activities geared toward their wellness. 

We are not just any senior living community. We are serious about prioritizing fun, leisure, and everyday joys for our residents. Furthermore, our staff take an empathetic, fully personalized approach to ensure individuals have what they need to feel at home with us. 

If you’re considering senior living services, we invite you to learn more about our offerings. Our compassionate team is ready to answer questions and provide guidance as needed.