Dementia – physical disease of the brain. As the disease progresses the brain becomes more and more damaged. Performance and judgement will deteriorate until the person is unable to lead a normal life. Dementia can affect anyone. Dementia is not contagious. No one single factor has been identified as the cause of Alzheimers’s.
10 warning signs:
- A = A memory problem
- L = Language problems
- Z = Zips and buttons are difficult to fasten
- H = Hygiene is not cared about
- E = Extreme mood swings
- I = Impaired judgement
- M = Many alzheimer’s sufferers get lost in familiar places
- E = even recognition of their own family and friends become difficult
- R = Recalls memories of childhood times, but cannot remember anything that happened the same day
- S = Suspicious of other people and may accuse them of stealing or hiding things.
Dementia progresses at different rates. How the disease starts and progresses will vary from person to person. Signs and symptoms become more persistent and serious over time. A combination of symptoms can be experienced at the same time.
In South Africa the most common forms of dementia include:
- Alzheimer’s
- Vascular / multi-infarct dementia
- Alcohol dementia
- Post-traumatic dementia
- HIV/Aids – related dementia
Creating a caring environment
A person with dementia is more likely to have an accident because he or she forgets where things are and how to use them.
Safety tips:
- Install safety devices, like child proof locks
- Lock up cleaning fluids, firearms, medicines and alcohol
- Add extra lighting or place contrasting coloured rugs at entrances and steps
- Monitor the temperature of taps and food
- Supervise all medication
- Remove anything which might cause a fall
- Be prepared for emergencies
- Don’t leave open fires or heaters unattended
