What is Dementia?

Dementia is a cerebral condition affecting proper blood flow to the brain, which is caused by blockage of blood vessels. This condition is heartbreaking for the dementia patient, as well as for the family members. Loss of memory is mainly the cause of heartache for the family members because their loved one sometimes cannot remember who they are, where they are, or what they were doing at any given time.

Common Symptoms of Dementia

Although not everyone who has dementia will exhibit the same symptoms, there are some common symptoms of dementia patients as listed below:

• Recent memory loss. Most people without dementia forget things for a while and then remember them later. However, people with dementia often forget things, but they never remember them. They might ask you the same question over and over, each time forgetting that you've already given them the answer. They won't even remember that they even asked the question.


• Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People with dementia might cook a meal, but forget to serve it, or even forget that they cooked it.


• Problems with language. People who have dementia may forget simple words or use the wrong words. This makes it hard for them to communicate their needs properly.


• Time and place disorientation. People who have dementia may get lost on their own street, how they got to a certain place, or even how to get back home.


• Poor judgment. Even non-demented people get distracted from time to time, but people who have dementia can forget simple things, like forgetting to put on a coat before going out in cold weather


• Problems with abstract thinking. Some people might have trouble balancing a checkbook, however, people who have dementia may forget what the numbers are and what has to be done with them.


• Misplacing things. People who have dementia may put things in the wrong places, like placing an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl, then they can't find these things later on.


• Changes in mood. Most people are moody at times, but people with dementia may have fast mood swings, going from calm to tears to anger in a few minutes.


• Personality changes. People who have dementia may have drastic changes in personality, like becoming irritable, suspicious or fearful.


• Loss of initiative. People who have dementia may become quite passive, not wanting to go places or see other people.