Dementia Awareness
Dementia is a term used to describe a group of signs and symptoms caused by a range of diseases that affect the brain. It can affect memory, thinking, reasoning, behavior, and the ability to complete everyday activities.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Signs and symptoms vary from person to person and may become more noticeable over time.
Causes of Dementia
Dementia can be caused by different diseases and conditions that affect the brain.
Common types include:
| Alzheimer’s Disease | Vascular Dementia |
| Lewy Body Dementia | Frontotemporal Dementia |
Warning Signs & Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of dementia can vary from person to person and become more noticeable as dementia progresses.
Some common signs and symptoms include:
| Experiencing memory loss, poor judgment, and confusion |
| Difficulty speaking, understanding and expressing thoughts, or reading and writing |
| Wandering and getting lost in a familiar neighborhood |
| Trouble handling money responsibly and paying bills |
| Repeating questions |
| Using unusual words to refer to familiar objects |
| Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks |
| Losing interest in normal daily activities or events |
| Acting impulsively |
| Not caring about other people’s feelings |
| Losing balance and problems with movement |
| Hallucinating or experiencing delusions or paranoia |
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of dementia.
Caregiving
Being a caregiver means supporting someone who needs help, whether a family member, neighbor, or friend. Caregiving can involve tasks like managing bills, attending appointments, or assisting with daily activities. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementias can be meaningful but also physically, emotionally, and financially demanding.
As Alzheimer’s and other dementias advance, your caregiving duties will likely increase. Finding effective strategies to manage daily tasks can help you better support the person in your care.
When caring for someone else, it can be difficult to focus on your own emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Still, self-care is essential for your health and for providing better support. Building a support network, asking for help, staying up to date on your own medical check-ups, and making time for activities you enjoy can all help protect your well-being.
For those caring for someone living with dementia, find local support and services in the San Luis Obispo County Dementia Resource Guide.
