A neurocognitive disorder, dementia is the term used for a range of symptoms brought on by other brain diseases and damage. These symptoms often include difficulties with memory, learning, speech, and decision making. Identifying these symptoms can be difficult in the early stages, but they will gradually become more noticeable and require dementia care. If your loved one has recently been diagnosed with dementia, here’s more information to help you understand the scope of the condition. 

4 Types of Dementia

1. Huntington’s Disease

Diagnosed in people between the ages of two and 80, this is a genetic disease that causes the breakdown of nerves in the brain. As it progresses, the person will start to show common signs of dementia, such as memory loss, judgment issues, and a decline in reasoning skills. Your loved one may need advanced dementia care if they become depressed, anxious, angry, or irritable over time.

2. Parkinson’s Disease

It’s common for individuals in advanced stages of Parkinson’s to develop dementia. While it initially only affects movement, the disease eventually causes difficulties with reasoning, judgment, and routine tasks like cleaning and eating. Some people even have hallucinations and can become irritable in social settings because of the neural damage caused by the condition.

3. Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Researchers think Lewy body dementia (DLB) may be the third most common type of dementia. People with DLB develop small deposits of protein between the nerve cells, preventing brain signals from traveling or reaching their intended destinations. Individuals with DLB require extensive dementia care, since movement difficulties affect everything from eating to bathing. 

4. Frontotemporal Dementia

This condition affects individuals as young as 45 years old, and is a combination of several different dementia syndromes. Caused by structural abnormalities, it affects the front and sides of the brain, which control planning, emotions, speech, and movement. People with this condition may need assistance for a range of tasks, including food preparation, financial planning, and medication management.

If you have a loved one with any type of dementia, contact the friendly and caring staff at BeeHive Homes of Columbia Falls. Serving residents of Montana, this facility prides itself on offering specialized dementia care based on their residents’ specific needs. They will provide knowledgeable assistance while encouraging your loved one to keep as much independence as they’d like. Visit them online for more information on their work, or call (406) 261-2388 to schedule a tour of the facility.