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Intro to Dementia
Intro to Dementia
Learning objectives
Learning objectives
Understand what dementia is and recognize common symptoms.
Learn about different types and stages of dementia.
Learn how dementia changes over time and what to expect.
Learn what demographics make up the majority of caregivers.
Dementia is a broad term that encompasses a variety of symptoms indicating a decline in cognition and functional thinking. This decline interferes with activities of daily living (ADLs) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024c). Symptoms often develop gradually and worsen over time, with memory loss being the most prominent. There is currently no cure for dementia, but there are treatment options available to manage symptoms. Understanding dementia is essential for caregivers to provide quality care for both their loved ones and themselves.
Symptoms:
Types of Dementia?
Types of Dementia?
There are over 100 forms of dementia. The most common types of dementia are Alzheimer's and Vascular dementia. Dementia is caused by changes in the brain that result in a loss of nerve cells or brain damage. While all types of dementia share common symptoms, each type presents differently as it affects the brain in different ways.
(Alzheimer’s Disease International, n.d.-b; Alzheimer’s Society, n.d.)
"If you have met one person with dementia, then you have met one person with dementia."- Tom Kitwood
"If you have met one person with dementia, then you have met one person with dementia."- Tom Kitwood
(Teichen, 2024)
Alzheimer's disease is the most common brain disorder that leads to dementia.
Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disease that causes the brain to shrink and affects nerve cells.
Alzheimer's and dementia are NOT the same thing.
Someone could have Alzheimer's and dementia at the same time.
Typical age is 60+, with some cases involving individuals younger than 60 years old.
Source: Alzheimer’s Association, n.d.-b
Lewy body dementia is caused by abnormal proteins called Lewy bodies, and it disrupts the brain's chemical communications, which affects thinking and body movement.
Typical age is 50+.
Can be difficult to diagnose, and lewy bod dementia symptoms closely resemble symptoms of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
(National Institute on Aging, 2025-a)
Vascular dementia is usually caused by strokes or problems with blood flow to the brain.
Damage to blood vessels limits oxygen and blood from reaching the brain.
Typical age is 65+.
(National Institute on Aging, 2025-a)
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is the result of damage to nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
The frontal and temporal lobes of the brain focus on behavior, personality, and motivation.
It is common for individuals with FTD to have difficulty speaking and understanding language.
Typical age is between 45-64.
(National Institute on Aging, 2025-a)
More than one type of dementia can affect the brain at the same time.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024c)
Creutzfeldt- Jakob Disease (CJD)
LATE
Huntington's Disease
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Posterior cortical Atrophy
Parkinson's Disease Dementia
Korsakoff Syndrome
(Alzheimer’s Association, n.d.-g)
Progression of Dementia
Progression of Dementia
Dementia is not a part of "normal aging". At the moment, there is no cure for dementia, but there are options available to manage the symptoms of dementia, such as medications.
Asymptomatic → Mild cognitive impairment → Early → Middle → Late
(Alzheimer’s Association, n.d.-h; Alzheimer’s Association, n.d.-e)
Early stage
Early stage
Individuals with dementia experience:
Might be able to function independently
Decline in memory
Decline in concentration
Difficulty following conversations
Difficulty with problem-solving
Changes in personality
Changes in sleep
Middle stage
Middle stage
Individuals with dementia might experience:
Start to require more care
Changes in behavior
Not recognizing familiar places
Waking during the night
Repetitive behaviors
Restlessness
False beliefs/delusions
Hallucinations
Changes in balance
Sundowning*
Disoriented
The longest stage and can last years
Late stage
Late stage
Individuals with dementia might experience:
Unable to live independently
Need for extensive care
Speak only a few words
Difficulty understanding nonverbal communication
Increased disorientation
Increased distress
Loss of recognition of familiar people or themselves
Decreased mobility
Increased risk for infections
Increased risk of delirium**
Incontinence***
Difficulty swallowing foods
*Sundowning: Increased confusion near sunset (Alzheimer’s Association, n.d.-e)**Delirium: A sudden change in thinking and awareness (NHS inform, 2025)***Incontinence: loss of bladder or bowel control (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)
How common is Dementia?
How common is Dementia?
Source: Alzheimer’s Disease International, n.d.
Source: Alzheimer’s Disease International, n.d.
Dementia affects 6.7 million Americans and 55 million individuals worldwide. By 2060, nearly 14 million adults are projected to have Alzheimer's disease in the United States. As the number of individuals with dementia increases, so does the reliance on caregivers and community support.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024c; Alzheimer’s Disease International, n.d.-a)
Go to Module 2 to learn about tools for caregiving.
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