Dementia is one of the most common mental health conditions among older adults, but this disease still isn’t completely understood. Even scientists responsible for developing dementia medications don’t fully know the mechanisms of the disease, so it’s no surprise that the average person has a lot of misconceptions about dementia. The El Cajon home care specialists at Coast Care Partners discuss some of the most common myths about dementia.
1. There’s No Way to Treat Dementia
Just because memory loss is irreversible doesn’t mean all hope is lost. In fact, there are many treatments that help seniors manage the symptoms of dementia and slow its progression. Depending on the cause of dementia, it may be possible to prevent it from getting worse.
2. All People with Dementia Have Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia often get mistaken for each other because they are closely linked. However, dementia is just the medical name for impaired cognitive functions. All people with Alzheimer’s have dementia, but it’s possible to develop dementia without getting Alzheimer’s disease. Certain other types of dementia may progress differently or require different treatments.
3. Dementia Only Affects Memory
Dementia does more than just cause seniors to forget things. People with dementia also have impaired thinking skills that make it challenging to figure out daily tasks, speech impediments that make communication difficult, and emotional issues that could result in mood swings and personality changes.
4. Dementia Only Happens to Really Old People
When people picture seniors with dementia, they normally imagine individuals over 80 years old. While it’s common for extremely old people to have dementia, not all seniors with this disease are octogenarians. Dementia can start as early as the age of 30, and it’s fairly common among people over 65. Individuals of all ages need to be on the lookout for signs of dementia.
5. A Dementia Diagnosis Means Life Is Over
Getting diagnosed with dementia is understandably upsetting, but the disease doesn’t automatically take away the ability to think, communicate, and function. With the right assistance, seniors with dementia can continue to be fairly independent for several years. They can still appreciate time with loved ones and enjoy various hobbies and activities.
Living with dementia can make it difficult for seniors to manage daily tasks. If your aging loved one needs help managing the symptoms of a disease, turn to Coast Care Partners. We offer customized, comprehensive, and quality-assured in-home care. Our caregivers can help your elderly parent make healthy lifestyle choices that promote health, wellbeing, and longevity. To get the best dementia home care El Cajon has to offer, call 619-354-2544 today.
