FAQ

What is Dementia?

Dementia is not a specific disease, but rather a syndrome caused by one or more disorders that affect the brain.

Memory loss is the most common symptom, but people also can experience problems with language, have difficulty solving problems, undergo personality and behavior changes, and can struggle with activities of daily living, such as dressing and feeding oneself. About 90% of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, or varying degrees in combination of the two.

What are the warning signs?

Sign 1: Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities
Sign 2: Difficulty performing familiar tasks
Sign 3: Problems with language
Sign 4: Disorientation in time and space
Sign 5: Impaired judgement
Sign 6: Problems with abstract thinking
Sign 7: Misplacing things
Sign 8: Changes in mood and behavior
Sign 9: Changes in personality
Sign 10: Loss of initiative

When should I seek help?

If you're concerned about memory loss, see your doctor. There are tests designed to determine the degree of memory impairment and diagnose the cause.

Your doctor will likely ask you questions to help assess your situation. It's very helpful to have a family member or friend along to answer some questions based on observations. Questions might include:

When did your memory problems begin?
What medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements, do you take, and in what doses?
Have you recently started taking a new drug?
What tasks do you find difficult?
What have you done to cope with memory problems?
How much alcohol do you drink?
Have you recently been in an accident, fallen or injured your head?
Have you recently been sick?
Do you feel sad, depressed or anxious?
Have you recently had a major loss, a major change or stressful event in your life?

How can a Speech-Language Pathologist help someone with Dementia?

The goal of treatment is to maintain the quality of life of the person with dementia for as long as possible.

Certain medicines can slow down dementia, but they do not cure it. Treatment for memory and other thinking skills can help. This is especially true early on, and it also may help as the dementia gets worse.

A Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) can help a person with dementia remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. The SLP may work on attention, memory, problem solving, and higher-level thinking skills. Some strategies utilized may include:

Practice in learning important information;
Using written words or pictures to help carry out tasks;
Making "memory books" to help remember personal information; and
Training family members and caregivers in how to better communicate with the person with dementia.

The SLP also can work with the patient to ensure safely eating different types of foods or eating in different ways. Family members and caregivers can support the person with dementia by making sure they eat enough foods for balanced nutrition.

How can caregivers help their loved one suffering with dementia?

If you care for someone with dementia, you may also learn helpful information from a speech therapist. They offer support to caretakers who wish to learn how to manage their loved one’s symptoms.

A dementia patient’s behavior is often triggered by specific conditions related to their direct environment, so learning how to communicate with your loved one can make a tremendous difference in their wellbeing.

Improved communication among patient and caretaker can also lead to a better quality of life for everyone. It minimizes stress and anxiety while fostering a stronger sense of peer relations.