►Dementia is the loss

of cognitive
functioning —
thinking,
remembering, and
reasoning — to such
an extent that it
interferes with a
person's daily life and
activities
Some people with dementia
cannot control their emotions,
and their personalities may
change.
Dementia ranges in severity
from the mildest stage, when
it is just beginning to affect a
person's functioning, to the
most severe stage, when the
person must depend
completely on others for basic
activities of living.
Dementia is more common as
people grow older (about one-
third of all people age 85 or
older may have some form of
dementia) but it is not a
normal part of aging.
Many people live into their
90s and beyond without any
signs of dementia
Dementia is not a specific
disease but is rather a
general term for the
impaired ability to
remember, think, or make
decisions that interferes with
doing everyday activities.
Alzheimer’s disease is the
most common type of
dementia. Though dementia
mostly affects older adults, it
is not a part of normal aging.
Isn’t dementia part of normal aging?
No, many older adults live their
entire lives without developing
dementia. Normal aging may include
weakening muscles and bones,
stiffening of arteries and vessels,
and some age-related memory
changes that may show as:
Occasionally misplacing car keys
Struggling to find a word but
remembering it later
Forgetting the name of an
acquaintance
Forgetting the most recent events
Signs and symptoms of
dementia
• Getting lost in a familiar
• Memory neighborhood
• Attention • Using unusual words to
• Communication refer to familiar objects
• Forgetting the name of a
• Reasoning, judgment, and
close family member or
problem solving
friend
• Visual perception beyond • Forgetting old memories
typical age-related • Not being able to
changes in vision complete tasks
independently
What increases the risk for dementia?
Age
The strongest known risk factor for dementia is increasing age, with most
cases affecting those of 65 years and older
Family history
Those who have parents or siblings with dementia are more likely to develop
dementia themselves.
Race/ethnicity
Older African Americans are twice more likely to have dementia than whites.
Hispanics 1.5 times more likely to have dementia than whites.
Poor heart health
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking increase the risk of
dementia if not treated properly.
Traumatic brain injury
Head injuries can increase the risk of dementia, especially if they are severe
or occur repeatedly.
Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that

slowly destroys memory and thinking skills
and, eventually, the ability to carry out the
simplest tasks

Dr. Alois Alzheimer

Warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as getting lost

in a familiar place or repeating questions.
• Trouble handling money and paying bills.
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or
at leisure.
• Decreased or poor judgment.
• Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to
find them.
• Changes in mood, personality, or behavior.
Causes

Head Injury
Genetics
Decrease in neurotransmitter
Abnormal build up of proteins
Head Injury
Medications

Aducanumab (aduhelm)

Galantamine (Razadyne®)
Rivastigmine (Exelon®)
Aricept® (Donepezil)
Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a brain

disorder that causes unintended or
uncontrollable movements, such
as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty
with balance and coordination.
Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a brain

disorder that causes unintended or
uncontrollable movements, such
as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty
with balance and coordination.
Symptoms

Bradykinesia - slowness of movement, impaired

dexterity, decreased blinking, drooling, expressionless
face.
Tremor at rest - involuntary shaking that decreases with
purposeful movement. Typically starts on one side of the
body, usually the hand.
Rigidity - stiffness caused by involuntary increase in
muscle tone.
Postural instability - sense of imbalance. Patients often
compensate by lowering their center of gravity, which
results in a stooped posture.
Causes
Treatments

These treatments include:

• Physiotherapy
• medication
Treatments