Information on Different Types of Dementia and Phoenix Anthem Senior Living

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Dementia is a general term for loss of memory and other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is caused by physical changes in the brain. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, but there are many kinds. Between 60% to 80% of people with dementia have Alzheimer’s. Dementia causes problems with thinking, memory, and reasoning. It happens when the parts of the brain used for learning, memory, decision making, and language are damaged or diseased. Aging increases the risk for someone to be affected with dementia.

Leading a stable life can become challenging for a senior person suffering from mobility or memory issues. Going for an assisted living facility like the award-winning Anthem Senior Living is often an ideal choice in such circumstances. Expect for your loved one to receive the best form of assisted care and support.

Dementia Causes:

1. Degenerative neurological diseases inclusive of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and some types of multiple sclerosis.
2. Vascular disorders that affect the blood circulation in the brain.
3. Traumatic brain injuries caused by car accidents, falls, concussions, etc.
4. Infections of the central nervous system like meningitis, HIV, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
5. Long-time alcohol or drug use.
6. Certain types of hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the brain.

20 percent causes of dementia are reversible with some of the reversible causes being

1. Alcohol or drug abuse
2. Tumors
3. Subdural hematomas, blood clots beneath the outer covering of the brain
4. Normal-pressure hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the brain
5. Metabolic disorders such as a vitamin B12 deficiency
6. Low levels of thyroid hormones, called hypothyroidism
7. Low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia

Types of dementia that aren’t reversible and worsens with time includes:

1. Alzheimer’s disease
2. Vascular dementia
3. Dementia from Parkinson’s disease and similar disorders
4. Dementia with Lewy bodies
5. Frontotemporal dementia (Pick’s disease)
6. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Types of Dementia:

Vascular dementia: This is the next most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s which is caused by a disruption of blood flow to the brain and is often the result of a stroke. A common symptom is forgetfulness.

Parkinson’s disease dementia- This form of dementia is a decline in thinking and reasoning that develops in many people living with Parkinson’s at least a year after diagnosis. As per researchers, 50–80 percent of adults who have Parkinson’s disease will end up developing dementia, too.

Lewy Body Dementia– It is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function because of abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells over time. Symptoms include insomnia, balance problems, paranoia, memory loss, hallucinations, and uncontrolled movement.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) or frontotemporal degenerations refers to a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal lobes (the areas behind your forehead) or its temporal lobes (the regions behind your ears). The signs include speech problems and personality change.

Get in touch with Anthem Senior Living to book a suite for your senior loved one.