Specialised Dementia Care

While dementia is the main symptom of many neurological disorders, it is not a disease itself. It can be hard to make the distinction between types of dementia since those experiencing it often have trouble describing their symptoms.

There are over 100 different types of dementia stem from that stem from brain disorders. The most common are:

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Vascular dementia

• Lewy Body disease

• Alcohol related dementia

• Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease

• HIV associated dementia

Dementia shares many symptoms with other treatable conditions. For this reason, it’s always good to visit the doctor for a formal diagnosis. Dementia-like symptoms can exist as a result of unrelated conditions like alcoholism, hormone disorders and depression. So there’s no need to jump to any conclusions right away.

A doctor will test for common dementia symptoms, such as:

Short-term memory loss dementia testing, you can try to find an existing reason like routine blood or eyesight test.

•  Difficulty performing everyday tasks

•  Changes in personality, mood or behaviour

•  Problems with abstract thinking

•  Language problems.

At Scalabrini we’ve also found that a calm and supportive attitude also goes a long way.

Regardless of whether these symptoms are a result of dementia or another condition, early diagnosis is key. An initial consultation to test for dementia can be a difficult thing to accept for many people, so it can be hard to make the first step.

If you’re having trouble convincing a family member or friend to visit the doctor for dementia testing, you can try to find an existing reason like routine blood or eyesight test. At Scalabrini we’ve also found that a calm and supportive attitude also goes a long way.

Without a doubt, recognising the early signs of dementia can be a challenge. Symptoms are progressive – making them hard to notice in the early stages. If you have a friend or family member whose symptoms are gradually becoming more severe, this can indicate the early onset of dementia.

To recognise the early signs of dementia, you need to look out for these increases in severity. For example, it’s normal to occasionally have trouble remembering a name or finding the right word in a conversation. Usually, we remember these details later. If you notice a friend or family member has increasing trouble with familiar names or simple words they may be experiencing the onset of dementia.

Another symptom is difficulty performing familiar tasks. It isn’t too out of the ordinary to become distracted and forget to hang out the wet washing in the laundry. Someone with dementia, on the other hand, may not just forget to hang out the washing, but also forget they did and laundry at all.

Caring for someone with dementia is a difficult and emotionally straining task – especially when a loved one forgets who and where they are. Experiences vary, but generally a gradual decline in the ability to perform everyday tasks makes dementia suffers very reliant on full-time care.

Although there is no known cure for dementia, the symptoms can be managed with the right care. Scalabrini’s entire philosophy centres around ‘Sono Io’ – Italian for ‘this is me’ – empowering those with dementia to make meaningful connections and live purposefully. We’ve embedded this strategy throughout our villages, from the way staff act, through lifestyle programs and our Dementia Excellence team.

Dementia care can be difficult, and you don’t have to take it all on yourself.