Understanding Dementia: More Than Just a Normal Part of Aging

Understanding Dementia: More Than Just a Normal Part of Aging

As I sat down to write another blog, I found myself wondering which topic to focus on next. Lately, my writing has been centred around two areas that are extremely important to me: aging and grief. Rather than choosing one over the other, I've decided to alternate between the two. This blog continues a series on aging, with a focus on dementia.

Over the past several months, I have been taking part in workshops and completing a course related to dementia therapy. I have found the experience both fascinating and humbling. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I didn't know. Like many people, I had some basic understanding of dementia, but I now recognize how complex and varied these conditions really are.

I thought it might be helpful to begin with some of the basics before exploring specific types of dementia in future blogs.

A Changing Understanding of Dementia

When I was growing up, nearly 60 years ago, my only living grandmother was often described as "senile." Later, when I worked in a care facility, that same term was commonly used to describe many residents who were experiencing cognitive decline. As the years passed, people gradually became more familiar with the word Alzheimer's. Even in the late 1980s, public awareness of Alzheimer's disease was still relatively limited.

Today, we understand that Alzheimer's disease is only one type of dementia, although it is the most common.

Research suggests that approximately 60–80% of dementia cases are diagnosed as Alzheimer's disease. As Canada's population continues to age, the number of people living with dementia is expected to increase significantly. Some experts have even referred to dementia as a "silent epidemic."

It's difficult to find someone whose life has not been touched by dementia in some way. Whether as a family member, friend, caregiver, healthcare professional, or neighbour, most of us know someone affected by the disease. If dementia has not touched your life yet, there is a good chance it will at some point.

Dementia Is Not a Normal Part of Aging

One of the most important things I have learned is that dementia is not a normal part of aging.

As we get older, it's common to occasionally forget a name, misplace our keys, or struggle to find the right word. However, dementia goes beyond these typical age-related changes and begins to affect a person's ability to function in daily life.

Some early warning signs of dementia may include:

• Memory loss that disrupts everyday life
• Difficulty with problem-solving or planning
• Trouble completing familiar tasks
• Confusion with dates, times, or locations
• Difficulty understanding visual images or spatial relationships
• Problems with speaking, writing, or finding words
• Frequently misplacing items and being unable to retrace steps
• Poor judgment or decision-making
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Noticeable changes in mood, behaviour, or personality

If you notice several of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it may be worth discussing them with a healthcare professional. Early assessment and diagnosis can be very helpful.

The Different Types of Dementia

Many people are surprised to learn that dementia is actually an umbrella term that includes several different conditions.

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It typically affects people over the age of 65, although some individuals develop what is known as early-onset Alzheimer's.

The disease affects memory, learning, reasoning, decision-making, and personality. As it progresses, individuals may experience confusion, behavioural changes, hallucinations, and eventually require assistance with daily living activities.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia occurs when blood flow to the brain is reduced. It often develops following a stroke or a series of smaller strokes.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may worsen over time if additional strokes occur. Vascular dementia is also associated with conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure.

Parkinson's Disease Dementia

Some individuals living with Parkinson's disease develop dementia later in the course of the illness. Researchers believe it may be linked to abnormal protein deposits in the brain known as alpha-synuclein.

Common symptoms include difficulties with memory, attention, planning, and problem-solving.

Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy body dementia shares some similarities with both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

People living with Lewy body dementia may experience visual hallucinations, sleep disturbances, fluctuations in alertness, and changes in movement and thinking abilities.

Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is less common and primarily affects the frontal and temporal regions of the brain.

It often results in significant personality changes, behavioural difficulties, reduced social awareness, and challenges with language and communication.

Mixed Dementia

Mixed dementia occurs when a person has more than one type of dementia at the same time. For example, an individual may experience both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

Symptoms can vary considerably depending on which areas of the brain are affected.

Looking Ahead

One of the things I have found most interesting is learning how differently each type of dementia can affect an individual. While there are common themes, every person's experience is unique.

In future blogs, I hope to explore each type of dementia in greater depth, discuss current research, and share practical information that may help individuals, families, and caregivers better understand what they are facing.

A Book Recommendation

Before I finish, I'd like to share a book recommendation. A friend recently introduced me to Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting by Lisa Genova.

I have just finished reading it and found it both informative and engaging. It offers fascinating insights into how memory works and why forgetting is often a normal part of being human. Some readers may already be familiar with Lisa Genova through her well-known novel Still Alice, which explores the experience of living with Alzheimer's disease.

If aging, memory, or dementia are topics that interest you, I think you'll find it well worth the read.