About Dementia
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease — and the World Health Organization estimates that millions more have another form of dementia. At age 65, Alzheimer’s disease affects one in nine seniors. At age 85, that statistic jumps to one in three.
Common Forms of Dementia
Dementia is not a disease in itself; it is a syndrome marked by a decline in cognitive function that goes beyond the normal effects of aging. The different types of dementia can be difficult to distinguish, and multiple forms may coexist. Common forms include:
- Alzheimer’s Disease — accounts for 60%-70% of cases
- Vascular Dementia — related to strokes or other conditions that damage blood vessels
- Lewy Body Dementia — caused by abnormal clumps of protein inside neurons
- Frontotemporal Dementia — linked to diseases that affect nerve cells in the frontal lobe
Memory Care Checklist
Dementia affects everyone differently, and the progression of signs and symptoms can be difficult to track since changes may occur gradually. At Iris Memory Care, we provide compassionate support for loved ones dealing with some or all of the following:
- Memory impairment
- Short attention span
- Difficulty communicating needs
- Inability to perform self-care activities
- A need for assistance when standing, sitting, changing positions, or walking
- Impaired judgment
- Some degree of disorientation related to people, places, or times
- Behavior that disrupts the environment
- A change in behavior marked by withdrawal, disinterest, suspicion, or wandering
- Difficulty knowing when and how to take prescription medications