Alzheimer’s and Dementia

HealthNow Home Healthcare provides skilled professionals to work with Alzheimer’s patients and their families to manage the debilitating effects of this disease and design a flexible plan to deliver the best possible care.

Our care plans include medication reminders and assistance with taking medicines, daily life activities supervision, meals preparation related to dietary restrictions, and maintaining a safe and comfortable living environment.

Dementia is a set of symptoms that includes the loss of mental faculties and decreased cognitive function. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, affecting the memory, behavior, and thinking patterns of 5.4 million Americans, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Alzheimer’s usually develops in patients over the age of 60. Patients that develop symptoms at a younger age are classified as having early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Are Dementia and Alzheimer’s the same thing?

Dementia is a term used to describe a wide array of symptoms involving a cognitive decline, rather than a specific disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly.

Alzheimer’s accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases, followed by vascular dementia, which is a kind of memory loss that can develop after a stroke. Memory problems can be normal in seniors and not all of them are attributed to dementia.

Dementia is typically diagnosed if a patient has two problems with two or more of the following: memory, communication, language, ability to pay attention, reasoning, judgment and visual perception. Dementia is degenerative and progressive, worsening cognitive function over time.

The causes of Alzheimer’s are not entirely clear, however some types of Alzheimer’s are linked to genetic factors. Researchers believe that a buildup of plaque in the brain might be one of the causes of Alzheimer’s.

Stages of Dementia

The early stages of dementia include misplacing items, getting lost on familiar routes, and struggling with mental tasks that were once easy.

There can also be changes in personality and loss of interest in hobbies. These symptoms worsen over time to the point that everyday tasks, like getting dressed, reading, writing, preparing meals, and bathing become challenging.

Dementia can progress to include a patient forgetting who they are and who their loved ones are, as well as forgetting details of life events. If the disease progresses far enough, the patient can lose their ability to comprehend language and complete basic tasks.

Dementia Treatment

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but medication can be prescribed to treat some of the symptoms, including memory loss, sleep problems, and behavioral challenges like aggression. Many dementia patients require a full time caregiver, a role that can be stressful for a family member to take on.

HealthNow Home Healthcare provides skilled nursing and therapy services to care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. We work with physicians to create the best course of care for your loved one.