Deciphering Different Types of Dementia
Linda Ziac, LPC, LADC, CEAP, CCM, CDP, CMDCP
Case Management & Advocacy | Case Management Expert
WHAT IS DEMENTIA
Although dementia is known to affect mainly older people, dementia is not a normal part of aging. It’s important to note that dementia is not a specific disease, but instead is a term that describes a broad range of symptoms.
The term dementia is used to describe a person who is experiencing cognitive functioning in two or more areas of their life as a result of changes in the brain. These include:
- Memory - Subtle Short-Term Memory Changes
- Communication and Language - Difficulty Finding the Right Words
- Apathy - Lose of Interest in Hobbies or Activities
- Reduced Ability to Focus and Pay Attention
- Difficulty Doing Normal Tasks
- A Loss of a Sense of Direction
- Loss of Emotional and Behavioral Control - Changes in Mood
- Being Repetitive
- Reduced Problem Solving Abilities
- Confusion
TYPES OF DEMENTIA
Although most people are familiar with the term Alzheimer’s disease, there are many
other types of dementia. The names of these various forms of dementia are often named for the condition that caused the dementia, or the person who first identified the particular form of dementia.
- Alzheimer's disease is reported to be the most common dementia for people over age 65, and accounts for 60% - 80% of dementia cases.
An estimated 5.2 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease in 2014, including 200,000 people under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer's
- Vascular dementia is usually caused by brain damage from a cerebrovascular accident or cerebrovascular insult (stroke), and is the second most common dementia type.
- Lewy body dementia is another common and progressive dementia where cells in the brain's cortex die and other areas contain abnormal structures called Lewy bodies. Symptoms may include hallucinations, shuffling gait, and flexed posture. These symptoms may vary daily.
- Frontotemporal dementia is associated with the degeneration of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal brain lobes.
- HIV-associated dementia is due to infection of the brain with HIV virus; presenting with symptoms such as impaired memory, apathy, social withdrawal, and concentration problems.
- Huntington's disease is a heredity disorder caused by a faulty gene symptoms beginning in 30-40 year old people. This is marked by personality changes such as anxiety, depression and progress to show psychotic behavior, severe dementia and chorea (involuntary jerky, arrhythmic movements of the body).
- Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD)
PDD is a form of dementia associated specifically with the movement disorder Parkinson’s disease, which is characterized by muscle rigidity in the limbs, tremors and balance difficulties, abnormal deposits of proteins known as Lewy bodies, and the hallmark plaques and tangles of AD. An estimated 50 to 80 percent of people with Parkinson’s will eventually develop PDD. As with other forms of dementia, PDD gets worse over time.
- Boxer's syndrome is the result of a traumatic injury (often repeatedly) to the brain. Symptoms commonly are dementia and parkinsonism (tremors, gait abnormalities) and other changes depending on where in the brain the injury took place.
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a fairly rare disease for people over 60 years of age, that seems related to a gene mutation that causes a rapid degenerative and fatal brain disease. This is marked by personality changes and reduced coordination, rapidly
followed by impaired judgment and vision.
- Secondary dementias occur in patients with movement disorders such as Parkinson's Disease or Multiple Sclerosis.
- Other Conditions that May Cause Dementia include reactions to medications, endocrine and metabolic problems (e.g. Thyroid, Diabetes), nutritional deficiencies (e.g. Vitamin B1), infections (e.g. Urinary Tract Infection), subdural hematomas, poisoning, brain tumors, anoxia (lack of oxygen), as well as heart and lung problems which restrict oxygen to the brain.
- Mild Cognitive Impairment is a fairly new term that is used to describe people who have some problems with their memory, but do not currently meet the criteria to be diagnosed with dementia.
- Pseudodementia is a syndrome seen in older people where a person who is suffering with depression can also experience cognitive impairment that looks like dementia. It is important to keep in mind that alcohol and other substance abuse or dependence may also co-exist with depression.
SYMPTOMS OF DEMENTIA
Early symptoms of dementia may include:
- Difficulty performing tasks that once came easily (e.g. balancing a checkbook, playing
games, learning new information)
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Language problems (e.g. difficulty with word finding such as naming a familiar object)
- Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Misplacing items
- Personality changes
- Changes in a person’s level of social functioning
As the dementia worsens, symptoms will become more obvious and will begin to interfere with daily living, such as:
- Changes in sleep patterns (e.g. waking during the night)
- Forgetting details about current events, or forgetting events in one's own life history
- Having difficulty with basic tasks (e.g. selecting appropriate attire, driving)
- Experiencing hallucinations, increased arguments, or being more aggressive
- Having more difficulty reading or writing
- Using poor judgment or losing the ability to recognize danger
- Using the wrong word, not pronouncing words correctly, or speaking in confusing sentences
- Withdrawing from friends and social contacts
STRIVING FOR A HEALTHY BRAIN
It has long been known that choosing a healthy lifestyle can positively impact our brain and our body.
Here are some positive steps you may wish to take in a proactive approach to longevity and a healthy brain.
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- Positive Support System
- Eating healthy
- Aerobic Exercise
- Cognitive Stimulation
- Relaxing Quality Sleep
- Stress Management
- Fulfilling and Active Social Life
Source: National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care
RESOURCES
Remember that help is just a phone call away!
Alcohol & Drug Abuse Helpline (National)
800-662-HELP
Alzheimer’s Association Info Line
800-272-3900
American Diabetes Association
800-342-2383
American Heart Association
800-242-8721
American Trauma Society
800-556-7890
Area Agency on Aging (Southwestern CT)
203-333-9288
CDC – Centers for Disease Control
800-232-4636
CT Department of Social Services
800-842-2159
Elder Abuse Reporting (CT)
888-385-4225
Elder Abuse Reporting (NY)
800-342-3009 press option 6
Elder Info Line National Hotline
866-847-4418
Eldercare Locator
800-677-1116
Federal Information Center
800-FED-INFO
National Adult Day Care Association
877-745-1440
National Association of Homecare & Hospice
202-547-7424
The Caregiver Resource Center
Case Management & Healthcare Advocacy
203-861-9833
Veterans Affairs Customer Service
800-827-1000
Photo from Microsoft
The information in this article is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient provider relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Please consult your health care provider for an appointment, before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.
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Linda Ziac is a CT Licensed and Nationally Certified professional, with over 49 years of experience in the health and mental health field. In 1990, Linda Ziac had a vision of creating a place where seniors, people with special needs, and their loved ones could turn for support, find answers to their questions, and engage trained professionals to help them navigate the often confusing and overwhelming healthcare maze. Together, Linda works with the client, family, and healthcare professionals to help assess and implement ways to allow for the client's greatest degree of health, safety, independence, and quality of life.
"Serving Connecticut for Over 34 Years"