What Is Dementia Care?

Every once in a while, we all forget where we’ve laid our car keys or our cell phones. You may come home from the grocery store or Walmart and realize that you’ve forgotten an item or two that you meant to purchase. While most individuals just shrug these moments off, for seniors, there is a nagging worry in the back of their minds that there might be something else behind these moments of forgetfulness. Could these moments possibly be signs of dementia?

While in most instances, forgetful moments can just be attributed to aging, dementia is a real and present problem for many seniors. Forgetfulness can be attributed to many factors, such as being tired or overly stressed, but dementia differentiates itself in the fact that it begins to interfere with an individual’s ability to function normally from day to day. Another common sign of dementia is changes in an individual’s personality. You can recognize signs of dementia in an individual by changes in their normal patterns of thinking and behavior, performance of certain physical tasks, or their ability to recognize familiar places, people, and objects.

An Overview of the Different Types of Dementia

The most well-known form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, and it is safe to say that this is the form of dementia that most seniorsfear. There are some medical professionals who are of the opinion that Alzheimer’s disease accounts for more than 80% of all diagnosed dementia cases. However, dementia can be a symptom of many other different types of diseases, including Parkinson’s, Lewy Body dementia, and Huntington’s Disease. Other forms of dementia can result from long term alcohol abuse; however, after Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia is vascular dementia.

What Is Vascular Dementia?

Vascular dementia generally occurs in seniors who have been the victims of a stroke or series of strokes. One of the results of these strokes is reduced blood flow to the brain. The strokes can be so small that they are virtually undetectable. When left untreated, these strokes can lead to memory loss, confusion, and other common symptoms of dementia. Vascular dementia usually manifests itself in a form known as multi-infarct dementia. The lack of blood flow to the brain can cause interruptions in your ability to see or hear, but as time goes on, the signs of vascular dementia will begin to appear.

The Symptoms of Vascular Dementia

The symptoms of dementia are going to manifest themselves differently in each individual. However, some of the most common signs of vascular dementia include memory impairment, inability to function from day to day, mental decline, lack of cognizance, and then physical decline.

How Is Dementia Care Paid For?

In a fashion similar to that of Alzheimer’s care, there are going to be several factors that influence how much one will pay for dementia care.

Long term dementia care, like what would be received from an assisted living facility, must generally be paid for from private funding. However, there are some long term health insurance policies who will contribute to the cost of one’s dementia treatment. Low income seniors may qualify for MediCal funding to assist with their care costs. Additionally, some veterans, or widows of veterans, may qualify for additional pensions to augment their income.

How Do I Find Out More Information About Dementia Care?

To speak with a family advisor about dementia care options, please call 1-760-218-5309.