Dementia is caused by the brain being damaged by disease. It is progressive, which means the symptoms will get worse over time. Although Dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a natural part of ageing. There are four common types of Dementia that we come across in our members in our charity, and most people will be able to identify with these for types:

Alzheimer’s Disease
Vascular Dementia
Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

*The brain is made up of nerve cells (neurons) that communicate with each other by sending messages.*

*Dementia damages the nerve cells in the brain so messages cannot be sent to and from the brain effectively, which prevents the body from functioning normally.*

People are all different, therefore, each sufferer will be affected differently. Thinking of activities for each person – needs to be approached in a ‘person-centred’ way.

This brain damage can cause what is often described as ‘Brain fog’, as the brain struggles to perform as it normally has. Symptoms of Dementia usually start quite mild then worsen over time. Symptoms include:

difficulty remembering recent events while having a good memory for past events;
poor concentration;
problems with decision making, problem-solving, planning and sequencing tasks;
poor organisational skills;
confusion & disorientation;
slow, muddled or repetitive speech;
withdrawal from family and friends;
difficulty recognising people or objects.

Memory is like a bookshelf with older memories at the top and more recent at the bottom. The Person with Dementia could be living in the memories from any previous ‘book’. Memories are lost or muddled from the most recent backwards.

People with Dementia can live a full and happy life with the right care and support. Dementia does get worse over time, and in the later stages people need more support with daily activities like cooking, moving around or getting dressed. Caring for a family member living with Dementia can be challenging, rewarding, change family relationships and impact on the Carer’s physical and psychological health. Often caregiving support is provided by family carers. In 2013, families and carers spent approximately 1.3 billion hours supporting and helping those with Dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease

This is the most common type of Dementia;
Memory problems are one of the earliest symptoms in Alzheimer’s;
Alzheimer’s develops when a build up of protein occurs in the brain blocking pathways. This causes cells to die;
Amyloid plaques form in the brains of people who have Alzheimer’s and can lead to problems with brain function;
Good activities to do: Memory games, memory boxes, timelines, reminiscing.

Vascular Dementia

This is the second most common type of Dementia;
Occurs when blood flow to the brain is reduced due to narrowing of blood vessels;
This type is more common amongst smokers;
Also common to patients who have had a stroke;
Cardiovascular exercises and cognitive stimuli are both very good for People living with Cardiovascular Dementia;
Good activities to do: memory games, physical activity, seated exercises, yoga, pilates, tai chi and generally keeping healthy. We do seated exercises in our charity 3 times a week- and a 'moves and grooves' session once a month to encourage exercise.

Dementia with lewy bodies

This is the third most common Dementia type;
It is also the second most common in People over the age of 65;
Dementia with Lewy bodies can be similar to Parkinson's disease and often has some of the same symptoms, including difficulty with movement and a higher risk of falls;
Visual hallucinations are common and can lead to delusions;
Posture of the body can decrease. Shuffling of feet when walking is common;
Depth perception, light changes, and movement are all affected;
Acting out dreams, sometimes violently, a problem known as rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is common;
Recommended activities: Colouring in games, arts and crafts, hanging objects (e.g. ornaments on a tree), sewing, activities that require hand eye coordination.

Frontoremporal dementia

This is an important cause of Dementia in younger people. It's most often diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 65;
FTD is caused by damage to cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain;
Frontotemporal Dementia is more likely to run in families and have a genetic link than other more common causes of Dementia;
Recommended activities: Predictable daily tasks, patterns and activities including meals, household tasks, physical activity, hobbies, social interaction, spiritual development as well as a regular sleep schedule.

Sensory stimulation

Sensory stimulation involves using sensory experiences and sensory rich environments to engage a Person with Dementia, utilising their senses and activating parts of the brain that remain relatively intact as other cognitive functions decline. This type of intervention can soothe, evoke positive emotions, comfort and reduce anxiety. This can lead to an improved quality of life and enhanced well-being.

Fiddle Muffs & Blankets are easy to make yourself or easy to source. So are Fidget Boards. Everyday items and activities can awaken the senses (touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight) and elicit a positive feeling or response in those living with Dementia.

dealing with the challenges

We cannot change the person. The person you are caring for has a brain disorder that shapes who he has become.

Check with the doctor first. Behavioural problems may have an underlying medical reason: perhaps the person is in pain or experiencing an adverse side effect from medications. The patient could be suffering from delirium from a urine infection for example.

Behaviour has a purpose. People with Dementia typically cannot tell us what they want or need. They might do something, like take all the clothes out of the closet on a daily basis, and we wonder why. It is very likely that the person is fulfilling a need to be busy and productive.

Behaviour is triggered. It is important to understand that all behaviour is triggered—it occurs for a reason. It might be something a person did or said that triggered a behaviour, or it could be a change in the physical environment.

What works today, may not tomorrow. The multiple factors that influence distressed behaviours, and the natural progression of the disease process, mean that solutions that are effective today may need to be modified tomorrow—or may no longer work at all.

Get support from others. You are not alone—there are many others caring for someone with Dementia!