Tag: best dementia care

Understanding Vascular Dementia: How It Differs from Other Forms of Dementia

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

Dementia is a broad term that describes a decline in cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. While Alzheimer’s disease is the most well-known form, vascular dementia is another common type, with distinct causes, symptoms, and progression.

What Is Vascular Dementia?
Vascular dementia results from reduced blood flow to the brain, often caused by strokes, blockages, or damage to blood vessels. This can lead to the death of brain cells and impair the brain’s ability to function properly. Unlike Alzheimer’s, which is primarily linked to abnormal protein deposits and nerve cell damage, vascular dementia is directly tied to cardiovascular issues.

Types of Dementia Understanding Vascular Dementia: How It Differs from Other Forms of Dementia

Key Differences from Other Dementias

  1. Causes:
    • Vascular dementia stems from poor blood circulation in the brain, often associated with strokes or conditions like hypertension and atherosclerosis.
    • Alzheimer’s and other dementias are more commonly linked to genetic, environmental, or neurological factors, such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles in Alzheimer’s.
  2. Onset and Progression:
    • Vascular dementia often has a sudden onset following a stroke or a series of mini-strokes. Its progression can be stepwise, with periods of stability followed by sharp declines.
    • In contrast, Alzheimer’s typically has a gradual and steady decline over time.
  3. Symptoms:
    • Vascular dementia may present with difficulties in problem-solving, slowed thinking, and poor concentration, often before noticeable memory loss.
    • Alzheimer’s, on the other hand, is characterized primarily by memory loss in its early stages, followed by disorientation and language issues.
  4. Prevention and Management:
    • Managing risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol can significantly reduce the likelihood of vascular dementia.
    • While there’s no cure for either condition, the focus for vascular dementia is often on preventing further strokes or vascular damage, whereas Alzheimer’s treatments primarily target symptoms and slow progression.

Conclusion
Vascular dementia is distinct in its origins, progression, and symptoms, setting it apart from Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and better caregiving strategies. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of dementia, it may be time to put a care team in place. Call us today to learn more about how we can help your loved one: 610-323-9800.

Advice from Centenarians

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

Centenarians have a lot of lessons to share with us!  As our life expectancies increase, it is worth learning from these three individuals, who are still living relatively good lives being 100 years old (or more)!

Some of their advice includes:

  1. Eat fresh food, including preparing it yourself.
  2. Communicate and be open to new ideas.
  3. Reminisce fondly on those who have passed already.
  4. Keep up with the times and adopt technology.
  5. Invest in fulfilling marriages.
  6. Stay independent, but know when to ask for help when you need it.
  7. Be happy and keep in equilibrium.

To learn more, watch the video below.

NursePartners home care team can keep mom and dad functioning at their best.  We help older adults with the activities of daily living, in order for them to focus on enjoying life.  Services range from basic companionship to 24/7 support for all needs.  Call us today to learn more 610-323-9800.

 

Understanding the Progression of Dementia

Posted on by Peter R. Abraldes

Dementia is a progressive condition, worsening over time, eventually leading to death. Many people never are diagnosed, and for others, it might take years to realize something has changed.

As a caregiver or loved one, it is important to look out for these changes, recognize them when they occur, and adapt the level of care as needed. To learn about your loved one’s state of dementia it is important to talk to them about it. Ask them what they are feeling and if they are noticing any differences in their ability to think or to remember things. However, be aware that many people living with dementia may not realize something has changed. If they do not want to discuss these changes, do not press them or show frustration yourself.

Take notice of any patterns of behavior as they arise and be sure that your loved one knows you love and support them as these changes occur. As dementia progresses   it is common for our loved ones to begin to feel guilty about their condition, to feel as if they are a burden on others. If left unchecked these feelings can develop into a serious depression and can add to the stress they are already experiencing. This inability to connect and comfort patients is a persistent problem in the way that a lot of caregivers approach working with someone living with dementia.

To connect with someone living with dementia, we need to join their world, not force them to conform to ours. Instead of resorting to antipsychotic medications and confinement, try embracing what they still do well. While there is merit in a lot of the medications being provided today, there is often so much more we can do for our loved ones when we are able to understand and sympathize with what they are experiencing. In other words, patience and compassion can go a very long way when caring for a loved one with dementia.

NursePartners’ approach to Alzheimer’s and dementia care is based on The GEMS™: Brain Change Model created by Teepa Snow. NursePartners recognizes the Teepa’s Positive Approach™ to Care as an effective method to provide care for loved ones affected by dementia. This approach categorizes dementia stages with six different gemstones, defined by unique characteristics. Click here for an overview of the classification system.

By being able to identify what stage of dementia your loved one is currently experiencing, you can create a style of care that helps them to feel loved and at ease. For example, patients classified under the Amber gemstone find great pleasure with hands on activities like painting, stitching, or drawing. While doing these activities patients are often observed to be focused, calm, and at peace; and when caring for a loved one with dementia, minimizing anxiety and maximizing these times of eternal peace is a great example of providing great care.

To learn more about NursePartners and the services we are able to provide for you and your loved ones, check out our Services Overview.