Dementia & Memory Loss

What is dementia?

Dementia is a broad category of neurocognitive disorders (NCD) in which an individual experiences an acquired (rather than developmental) decline in cognitive functioning. Dementias can be categorized as Major Neurocognitive Disorder or Mild Neurocognitive Disorder. The two levels of severity are differentiated by an individual’s ability to independently care for themselves on a day to day basis.

Our scientific understanding about dementia has evolved with more research. We now know that there are several types, or etiologies, of neurocognitive disorder. Some of these types are:

• NCD due to Alzheimer’s Disease
• NCD due to Parkinson’s Disease
• NCD with Lewy Bodies
• Vascular NCD
• Frontotemporal NCD

In addition, other medical conditions, such as Delirium and Hydrocephalus, can lead to temporary but severe alterations in cognitive functioning. Correct identification of which type of neurocognitive disorder you or your loved one are experiencing can help ensure appropriate medical care early on. Our neuropsychologists will do their best to help differentiate which disease process is leading to the neurocognitive dysfunction that you or your loved one are experiencing.

What are the signs of dementia?

Each type of neurocognitive disorder has a unique temporal pattern of changes in thinking abilities.

• Typically, those with Alzheimer’s Disease first notice difficulty with word finding and with learning new information.
• Those with Parkinson’s Disease typically first notice the onset of Parkinsonian features (i.e. resting tremors or shuffling gait) before noticing changes in thinking ability.
• Elderly with NCD with Lewy Bodies typically experience a waxing and waning of neurocognitive abilities, accompanied with disrupted sleep and visual hallucinations.
• Vascular NCD has a very diffuse pattern of changes that are unique to each individual and typically demonstrate a step-wise decline, rather than a gradual decline, in thinking abilities.
• Typically, those with Frontotemporal NCD show significant changes in personality and behavior patterns, such as increased apathy and decreased inhibition.

For some, multiple disease processes may be leading to the onset of neurocognitive disorder. The further along the disease process, the more difficult it can be to establish an accurate timeline of neurocognitive changes, and therefore the more difficult it can be to pinpoint the primary cause of neurocognitive dysfunction. Regardless, our neuropsychologists are here to help you navigate through these trying times.

What is the treatment for dementia?

Seeking neuropsychological evaluation when you first start noticing changes in thinking abilities, can be daunting. It may feel more comfortable to make do and find work arounds. However, early detection of NCD is important to help ensure accurate diagnosis and therefore accurate and timely treatment. Ultimately, we are here to help you maintain as much independence in your day to day activities as possible. One of the first steps in treatment is seeking a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation to determine you or your loved one’s current level of cognitive functioning. Through regular re-evaluations, we can help keep tabs on whether thinking abilities have improved, stayed stable, or worsened with time.

Thomson’s cognitive rehabilitation therapists can help you learn skills and strategies with which you may compensate for your areas of reduced cognitive functioning, and therefore help minimize the impact of NCD on your day to day functioning. Our therapists are skilled in addressing the emotional impact of NCD on both your and your caregivers’ psychological health. Our therapists will partner with you and your family to help ensure that feelings of frustration, depression, or anxious worry do not worsen changes in your thinking abilities. We will always encourage you to consult with your physician to determine whether a pharmaceutical intervention would be appropriate for your individual case.