Symptoms of Dementia in Seniors

A decline in the functioning of the brain that makes it difficult for a person to comprehend, remember, learn and communicate is known as dementia. The diminishing abilities of the brain can leave a person helpless and unable to take care of his/her own self. Dementia is referred to as an illness syndrome that affects the centers of a person's brain that deal with attention, memory, language processing and problem solving. It causes disorientation in space and time and affects a person's moods and behavior. The increase in the number of people suffering from dementia has made senior health a major concern of society today.

Dementia results from the destruction of brain cells. Severe brain injury, stroke or a brain tumor can cause dementia. Dementia can also be the result of certain developmental disorders. Declining brain function due to advanced age is one of the most common causes of dementia due to which it is often observed in the seniors. Let us look at the symptoms of dementia.

Dementia Symptoms in Seniors

Patients of dementia face difficulties in remembering things. They tend to ask the same question repeatedly. They become forgetful and fail to remember even the simplest of things. Due to the increasing loss of memory, they tend to misplace things. They face difficulties in performing even the daily tasks because of the severe memory loss.

Those suffering from dementia have problems with language and communication. As dementia affects the areas of the brain associated with language and communication, patients of dementia cannot find words to communicate their feelings. It is during these difficult times that they need attention and support from their families and friends. It is important for their close ones to understand them and help them communicate what they feel.

Due to loss of memory, those suffering from dementia show poor analytical thinking and reasoning. They cannot judge situations. Abstract thinking becomes nearly impossible for these people.

Due to disorientation in time and space, seniors suffering from dementia fail to recognize even familiar names and places. They lose their sense of time and space. They fail to orient themselves with the concepts of space and time. This disorientation is indeed painful for the patients as well as their relatives.

Vascular dementia and the Alzheimer's disease are two of the common types of dementia.

Vascular dementia is characterized by sudden loss of memory, paralysis, loss of vision, difficulties with language processing and loss of bowel and bladder control. Varying moods and sudden variations in temperament are observed in patients of vascular dementia.

The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include a gradual loss of memory, confusion and disorientation, a decline in social abilities and rising irritability and restlessness. Patients of the Alzheimer's disease often experience depression and anxiety.

A tendency to lose things, forget names, miss appointments, increased confusion and irritability are some of commonly observed symptoms of dementia. Seniors suffering from dementia commonly experience a loss of interest in the world around them. It is important for their near ones to keep the hope alive. It is during these sad times that their family members need to cheer them up and try to help them take interest in living. It is the time to assure them that life can still be made beautiful.