Understanding the Stages of Dementia

If you have noted a change in the behaviour of a loved one and think they might be showing the first signs of dementia, it is often very difficult to be sure. Many symptoms of dementia can seem like the characteristics of reaching an old age, but it is vital that you do not ignore the warning signs and encourage your loved one to see a GP. In the UK, one in 11 adults over 65 is currently living with dementia.

In this article, we will cover the early signs of dementia, the known causes, and different stages of the disease, as well as the right time to consider dementia care.

What is dementia?

The word “dementia” does not refer to one specific disease but is an umbrella term used to describe a group of related symptoms which indicate a continuous decline in brain function. Each condition under that umbrella causes permanent changes to the brain and prevents brain cells from working as they should.

Dementia often results in memory loss but can also cause problems with speech and general cognition, as well as mobility and balance. It is a degenerative disease, but the pace of its progression can vary, as can the different symptoms each person living with it experiences.

What are the early signs of dementia?

If you are worried that a friend or family member is showing symptoms, it can be helpful to know the most common early signs of dementia, so you can get a diagnosis as quickly as possible. It is worth noting that the signs of early-onset dementia are like those of dementia that is occurring at the expected age too.

• Problems with memory. For instance, frequently misplacing objects, struggling to absorb new information, or regularly forgetting people’s names. A person living with dementia might also fail to recognise familiar faces.
• Struggling with communication. Dementia can make it consistently hard for someone to express themselves. They might lose some of their language, forget simple words and swap in others that seem illogical.
• Difficulty carrying out familiar daily tasks. Everyday things like cooking a meal, cleaning the house, or other tasks that are usually second nature can prove difficult for someone living with dementia.
• Unable to keep track of time and place. Disorientation about the date and time of day is another common sign of dementia. For instance, a person with dementia might get ready for an event on the wrong day or get confused about day and night.
• Challenges with coordination spatial awareness. Issues with coordination can also be an early sign — your loved one might struggle with buttons and shoelaces or find themselves knocking things over and bumping into things more than usual.
• Altered personality, behaviour, and mood. A person experiencing the early stages of dementia may have more severe mood changes than usual and could be quick to anger or become tearful for no clear reason. They might also withdraw from others or seem fearful of them.

What causes dementia?

Dementia can be caused by many different diseases, but most of these diseases involve a build-up of proteins that cause nerve cells in the brain to lose function, and eventually die. The specific causes of dementia also vary in line with the type of dementia — we have outlined the most common kinds in more detail below:

Alzheimer’s Disease

While it is the most common type of dementia, the exact causes of Alzheimer’s disease still are not fully understood today. It is thought that Alzheimer’s is caused by the build-up of 2 proteins (amyloid and tau), which form plaques around — and tangles within — brain cells.

There’s also a genetic component to Alzheimer’s, and there are several different genes which can increase the risk of developing the disease, such as apolipoprotein E4.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is caused by a reduced flow of blood through the vessels that supply the brain, which starves brain cells of the blood they need, damaging and eventually killing them. This can be the result of a single stroke, a series of mini strokes, or the blood vessels growing narrower.

Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy bodies — also called alpha-synuclein — are clumps of protein that are found inside the brain cells of those living with Lewy body dementia. These protein clumps stop cells from functioning properly or communicating with each other properly.

This is one of the more common forms of dementia and is often found in people living with Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.

Frontotemporal Dementia

This is the name given to a number of different diseases, which can be identified by the breakdown between nerve cells and their connection to the frontal lobe and temporal lobe.

Frontotemporal dementia is the type that is found most often in younger people between 45 and 65 years of age, and it is more likely to be passed down within families than other types of dementia.

Mixed Dementia

People with mixed dementia are living with several different causes of dementia simultaneously. The most common combination is both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but it can be difficult to attribute a person’s specific symptoms to each cause.

What are the stages of dementia?

Dementia is usually broken down into three stages — mild, moderate, and severe. Understanding these stages can help you know what to expect as the disease progresses, and when to consider dementia care.

Early-stage dementia.

When a person has early stage or “mild” dementia, they might exhibit symptoms like confusion, occasional memory loss or difficulty communicating and making plans. Most people living with early-stage dementia are still largely independent, and with help from friends and family, can remain so for several years.

Middle stage dementia.

In middle stage or “moderate” dementia, problems with memory and language become more pronounced and noticeable, and the person living with it will require more support with daily tasks. They might need reminders to do things like wash, dress and eat regularly, and this is when some behavioural changes might arise too, such as agitation or delusions.

Late-stage dementia.

Late stage or “severe” dementia has an impact on almost every part of a person’s life, including their cognition, mobility, ability to talk, and elements of personal care like washing, dressing, and using the toilet. At this stage, the person living with dementia will need full-time care and support, either in an at-home setting or in a care home that provides dementia care.

When is the right time to consider dementia care?

The right time to bring in professional dementia care will vary for every individual, and depend on their level of independence, their symptoms, and how severely it is impacting their everyday life. Here are a few different things to consider:

• If worsening confusion and memory loss mean your loved one can no longer live safely and independently at home, or they cannot keep on top of their daily tasks without constant support and supervision, it could be time to consider dementia care.
• If you can no longer meet your loved one’s care needs, even with visits from carers or support from friends and family, moving your loved one into a care home might be the best decision for everyone.
• If your loved one’s medical and behavioural needs are becoming more complex, or they are struggling to keep up with their medication, professional specialised care can be a huge help.
• An early diagnosis of dementia can make a big difference, as it gives you and your loved one access to the support you need — not just emotional and medical support but legal and financial help too. Once you have a diagnosis, you can start to build a long-term plan and make arrangements for the future.

At Oyster Care Homes, we pride ourselves on our deep understanding of dementia and its corresponding symptoms and are committed to supporting residents with cognitive challenges with a compassionate approach that is tailored to their individual needs.

Our homes offer a supportive, nurturing environment where those living with dementia can experience the best quality of life possible, in a place of safety and dignity. To find out more about our dementia care or speak to a member of our team, fill out our online form and request a call back.