How Can Dementia Education Help Me Understand Dementia Types?

Looking for dementia educational resources? When a loved one receives a dementia diagnosis, it can be overwhelming and confusing.

Dementia is technically an umbrella term. Just like cancer has many forms, dementia can manifest differently depending on the root cause, as well as which area of the brain it affects.

At All Home Care Matters, our goal is to provide dementia resources and dementia caregiving strategies to families in New York, NY, navigating this disease. Subscribe to our podcasts to learn more.

How Can Dementia Education Help Me Understand Dementia Types?

Accessing dementia education to understand the different types of dementia is important because each type requires a different approach to care. Managing medications and the best strategies for managing symptoms varies depending on the type of dementia.

The three most common forms are Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia (LBD).

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is characterized by a slow, progressive deterioration, typically starting with short-term memory loss. This may include difficulty remembering recent events, names, and new information.

Other symptoms of cognitive decline manifest as the disease gets worse, such as difficulty planning, solving problems, and completing familiar tasks.

When it comes to caregivers for patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia education is crucial for developing the best care strategy. The right dementia education can help you:

• Focus on providing validation
• Establish a routine
• Reduce new stimuli that could overwhelm their patient
• Provide support for activities of daily living (ADLs) as the disease advances

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is caused by reduced or blocked blood flow that can lead to small strokes or blockages in the brain.

It’s the second most common type of dementia. Dementia education for vascular dementia shows that the decline happens more suddenly rather than the gradual, continuous decline often seen in Alzheimer’s.

Worsening generally happens after a new stroke or event, which leads to damaged tissue. This results in symptoms related to executive function and motor and physical skills. Patients have trouble with decision making, planning, and judgement.

These symptoms happen before severe memory loss sets in, which is another key difference between vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s. Dementia education can help you understand more of the differences between each disease.

The caregiving strategy and dementia education for vascular dementia needs to include aggressive management of the underlying risk factors.

Blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and other symptoms need to be managed to prevent further. In addition, a focus on physical safety is essential if there are motor skill issues.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Lewy body dementia (LBD) encompasses two related conditions: dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD). DLB is caused by abnormal protein deposits, called Lewy bodies, on the brain’s cortex and stem.

DLB is known for three features:

• Fluctuating Cognition: There can be unpredictable changes in alertness and attention. Someone with DLB may seem better one moment, but then be severely confused the next.

• Visual Hallucinations: Patients may see vivid and detailed hallucinations.

• Motor Symptoms: Stiffness, tremors, and slowed movements are common symptoms. They may be similar to many of the symptoms seen in Parkinson’s disease.

Dementia education and caregiving for DLB should focus on managing the patient’s reality. For example, don’t argue when they describe their hallucinations. Instead, validate their feelings while redirecting them.

It’s also important to understand that patients with DLB are highly sensitive to certain medications. Symptoms can actually worsen dramatically with certain medications, particularly anti-psychotics. Communicating with a doctor is vital to properly manage medications and receive accurate dementia education.

Subscribe to All Home Care Matters for More Dementia Resources

At All Home Care Matters, our dementia care podcasts and YouTube show are filled with valuable knowledge that can help you navigate care for your loved one. Our goal is to provide dementia education that helps you feel confident and compassionate while providing proper care.

Our family dementia education includes guest expert interviews, resources, tips, and discussions on important age-related topics.

Want to learn more about All Home Care Matters and our dementia education? Subscribe to our YouTube channel today for our complete archive of episodes and resources. You can also subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts and visit our website to access additional content and dementia education.