Dementia is a sensitive condition and often misunderstood. It isn’t always simple to understand, can dementia be inherited genetically or the reasons why people develop it. The more we learn and understand the disease, the better it is to manage and cope. A support group is one of the most important pillars when coping with dementia in a loved one. Finding help and treatment can go a long way in making life a bit simpler.
What is dementia?
It’s a degenerative disease that has devastating side-effects. It causes memory loss known as Alzheimer’s, as well as thinking and communication problems. People with dementia need assisted living because oftentimes due to memory loss, they end up forgetting things. Sometimes they can forget simple things, like, where they live.
Types include:
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
What causes dementia?
Can occur for several reasons including:
- Having suffered a stroke
- Trauma to the head
- Protein build-up in the brain
Can dementia be inherited?
To some extent, yes, dementia can be hereditary. Alzheimer’s is often the hereditary type of dementia that can be passed down from the parent to the child.
In the case of Huntington’s disease, it can also be seen as genetic. Patients with Huntington’s, brain cells break up with time.
Who is at risk?
Oftentimes elderly folks from 60 and older are more at risk of developing the disease. Yet, Dementias like Huntington’s can affect younger people even as young as 35.
Can dementia be cured?
While the disease is not curable, there are treatments to help patients and families cope with the different types of dementia.
Some people have also wondered can dementia be reversed. But, because the brain cells are deteriorating, it remains irreversible and incurable.
Treatment for dementia
Can dementia be slowed down? With treatment, it gives patients a better chance of leading more fulfilling lives.
Some treatment options include medications like Memantine. Patients also need medication to treat psychological behaviour such as:
- Depression
- Aggression
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Wandering
- Paranoia
- Agitation
Certain health conditions can aggravate the symptoms of dementia. Thus, diagnosis and treatment are of utmost importance.
What else can you do?
People with dementia can also try to:
-
- Quit smoking
- Improve their cholesterol levels
- Take care of their diet especially diabetics
- Monitor blood pressure
Get the help you need for your loved one
You can find professional help for your loved one diagnosed with dementia at Brooklyn Care. The team is caring, passionate, trained and experienced in helping patients with dementia. For more information, contact the team at Brooklyn Care. Dementia doesn’t have to be a scary experience. With emotional care and 24/7 medical support, your loved ones will be able to lead happier days.