Dementia - More than just memory loss

September is World Alzheimer Month and the Meath Chronicle, in partnership with the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together campaign, is featuring a series of articles on dementia.

With an estimated 2,078 people living with dementia in Meath, this week we focus on some common types of dementia.

Most people understand dementia as a progressive condition in older people that affects a person’s memory. However, the syndrome of dementia can present in many ways, with memory function being spared in the early stages.

In such situations, people often don’t realise that they have a condition that may lead to dementia, leaving them without the right diagnosis, support and care.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Nearly 60 per cent of dementias will be caused by Alzheimer’s disease which particularly affects areas of the brain involved with memory. Thus, in ‘typical’ Alzheimer’s, forgetfulness and memory complaints are the main concern in the beginning.

Over time, more areas of the brain becomes damaged, eventually leading to problems with other aspects of thinking such as recognising people, paying attention and making decisions.

Over time, other problems can arise, such as anxiety and hallucinations, or personality change.

Other Dementias

In Lewy body dementia – named after Lewy proteins in the brain – a person may first experience difficulties with vivid dreams, loss of their ability to smell, and visual hallucinations.

Episodes of confusion and disorientation may occur, and Parkinson’s-like movement problems may arise. Memory problems occur much later during the condition, as more brain areas become involved.

Fronto-temporal dementia is another type of dementia, caused by different protein abnormalities, which affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It most often occurs in younger people, between the ages of 50 and 70 years. It can affect understanding or speech, or it can affect a person’s behaviour and personality.

All of these dementias may run in families but can also occur out of the blue.

Taking Action

If you’re worried about dementia, your GP can arrange an assessment at a specialist service. While there is no cure, symptoms due to Alzheimer’s disease or Lewy body dementia may respond to certain medications.

The most important thing is to arm oneself with the necessary information to enable everyone involved to make decisions about the future.

For information on supports and resources, including a local service-finder for people with dementia and their carers, visit www.understandtogether.ie or contact The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Helpline for support on Freefone 1800 341 341 (Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm). For specific information on Lewy body dementia, email Lewy Body Ireland at info@lewybodyireland.org