What is Dementia?

Dementia is usually caused when brain cells in the cerebral cortex begin to die. The cerebral cortex is the area of the brain that controls thought, action, memory, and personality.

When those brain cells die, it damages the person’s cognitive function, i.e. their ability to process thought, maintain focus and comprehend ideas.

Some causes of dementia are treatable, but most are progressive, degenerative and irreversible. In other words, the individual’s brain function will decline gradually and grow steadily worse over time. 

The treatable causes of dementia include head injuries, brain tumours, infections (like meningitis and HIV/AIDS), metabolic disorders (diseases that affect the body’s organs), and nutritional deficiencies.

Some of the most common types of dementia are:

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease contributes to 60-70% of dementia diagnoses. It is caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain which attack and destroy the cells associated with memory and mental function.

These deposits, called beta amyloids, are caused by an imbalance in the brain’s ability to produce and clear short chains of amino acids called peptides. Because the build-up of beta amyloids is extremely slow, it can take up to 20 years before Alzheimer’s disease begins to show.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include lack of concentration, memory loss, problems with communication, and difficulties with reading, writing, numeracy and planning.

Although there isn’t presently a way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, the two known risk factors are advancing age and family history.

Around 5% of people above 65 years of age, 20% of people above 80 years of age, and 30% of people above 90 years of age suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.

People who have a parent or sibling affected by the disease are approximately two to three times more likely to develop the condition, and if more than one close relative has Alzheimer’s disease the risk is even greater.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia accounts for roughly 20% of dementia cases. It is caused by fatty deposits, dead cells, and other debris that partially or completely restrict blood flow through the arteries.

This condition is known as atherosclerosis, and it can cause multiple strokes or interruptions of blood flow which cause localised cell damage in the brain.

This localised damage is called Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs) and interruption of blood flow to the brain is called an infarction, which is why this is sometimes referred to as multi-infarct dementia.

Vascular dementia is commonly associated with conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes. If those conditions are treated, vascular dementia can be slowed down. Sadly any loss of function is irrecoverable.

Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is a progressive condition that usually affects people aged between 45 to 65.

The symptoms of frontotemporal dementia worsen gradually over time, and most commonly affect the brain’s frontal lobe (which controls personality, problem solving, decision making, empathy, motivation, and social planning) and temporal lobe (which controls speech, comprehension, language ability and memory formation).

Dementia that primarily impacts the front lobe is called frontal dementia, behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia, or Pick’s disease.

Dementia that primarily affects the temporal lobe is called semantic dementia or primary progressive aphasia. The early signs of frontotemporal dementias can be easily misdiagnosed, which is why the condition often remains unrecognised for as much as four to five years.

Dementia With Lewy Bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies is a progressive condition. It affects movement and motor control, which means that the sufferer is more likely to lose balance and fall, experience tremors that appear similar to Parkinson’s disease, and have difficulty swallowing.

They can also experience intense dreams or nightmares and visual and/or auditory hallucinations.

Although dementia with Lewy bodies doesn’t affect the memory as much as other dementias, sufferers may also experience regular periods of confusion.

Communication problems: including difficulty with reading and writing and finding the right words. Sufferers can also find taking part in conversations tiring.

Changes in personality and behaviour: including anxiety, depression, and unexpected mood swings. Sufferers can lose empathy and exhibit lack of interest in social activities.

Memory problems: difficulty remembering familiar names and places or retaining fresh information. Sufferers may frequently misplace items and seem increasingly forgetful.

Cognitive difficulties: including loss of concentration, and problems understanding time and place (i.e. thinking they have to get up for work in the middle of the night (even if they’re no longer working) or losing the ability to make simple decisions (i.e. when going shopping, or needing to take the bus into town.)

There isn’t currently a cure for dementia, but advances in scientific areas like stem cell research and immunotherapy are all contributing to a better understanding of the condition.

Existing drugs for illnesses like type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and high blood pressure are also being investigated, with hopes they can be repurposed to assist people living with dementia.

Because dementia is composed of so many different conditions, it’s unlikely that a one-size-fits-all ‘magic bullet’ will ever be available. However, the results of several clinical trials have been encouraging.

It’s easy to misinterpret the warning signs of dementia. Many suspected dementia symptoms, like changes with memory, may just be natural conditions caused by ageing.

Symptoms like loss of concentration or lack of interest in social activities could also be due to illnesses like anxiety or depression.

Also, memory loss caused by mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is relatively common and need not necessarily lead to dementia, although people with MCI do have an increased risk of developing a dementia condition.

Warning signs of dementia can include:

• Frequently forgetting important dates, like birthdays and appointments.
• Forgetting the names of family members and friends.
• Repeatedly asking the same questions.
• Struggling with language and vocabulary.
• Confusion, and getting lost in familiar places.
• Difficulty concentrating, grasping new information, or following conversations.
• Behavioural changes, like becoming upset or angry over matters that normally wouldn’t bother them.
• Losing track of time and forgetting what they are doing.
• Organisational difficulties, like writing a shopping list, paying a bill, or cooking a recipe.
• Inability to complete day-to-day tasks, like travelling to work.
• Vision problems, such as difficulty focusing or judging colour and distance.
• Misplacing objects and being unable to find them or remember when they were last seen.
• Demonstrating increasingly poor judgement, such as making out-of-character decisions.
• Not participating in activities or hobbies they used to enjoy and being less interested in social or family activities.

None of these signs necessarily signal dementia, but if any of them are familiar to you or someone you know it’s advisable to visit your GP for a diagnosis.

If dementia is diagnosed early enough, it is possible to slow its effects down. An early diagnosis will also ensure dementia patients receive the correct treatment and support.

For that reason, it’s important to speak to the GP as soon as possible.

Even if dementia isn’t the cause, conditions like vascular problems, infections, anxiety, depression and sleep apnoea can mimic the symptoms of dementia and should still be treated as quickly as possible. Side effects to medication can create dementia-like symptoms too.

The GP will generally take a medical and family history of the person and test their mental health and cognitive functions by asking questions, checking concentration and short-term memory, and looking for changes in mood and behaviour.

They’ll probably also ask how the person manages day-to-day activities like personal care, cooking and shopping.

Depending on the outcome of that conversation, they may then request blood tests, an MRI or CT scan, or a chest X-ray to rule out other conditions. They might also refer the person to a specialist for further assessment.

If possible, the person being investigated should take someone they trust with them.

Their relative or friend may be able to describe any changes they’ve noticed in the patient’s personality or physical condition, and help them remember what was said and agreed after the appointment.

It’s important to remember that dementia can often be difficult to diagnose. If the GP isn’t sure, they’ll most likely refer the patient to a specialist, such as a neurologist, a psychiatrist, or a geriatrician.

These specialists will be expert in diagnosing, advising, and caring for people with dementia, and their families.

The first thing to remember is that people with dementia can still enjoy a good quality of life, and there is plenty of help, support and information available.

The GP or specialist should explain what type of dementia you have or what the next steps will involve. They will give you details about the symptoms and how the dementia might develop, discuss appropriate treatments, and give you advice about care and support services.

Once you’ve received your diagnosis, your GP should continue monitoring your condition. They may also prescribe drugs to help with your condition.

Making the decision to find a care home for a family member is usually considered when the symptoms of dementia become too challenging to manage in their own home or pose a safety risk to the individual or others.

A dementia care specialist home, like Hamberley Care Homes, becomes an appropriate choice when the individual requires around-the-clock supervision, specialised care, or when their daily living activities become significantly impaired. This might be due to increasing memory loss, changes in mental capacity, disorientation, or difficulties with tasks like personal care, dressing, eating, and maintaining personal hygiene.

Another clear sign is if the person living with dementia becomes increasingly agitated, aggressive, or experiences significant changes in their behaviour that are difficult to manage at home. This might include wandering, disturbed sleep patterns, or an inability to recognise familiar faces.

Caring for loved ones with dementia at home can be very challenging and when the condition progresses, it is often in their best interests to seek more care. If your own physical or mental health is suffering due to the demands of providing care, this is also a sign that it may be time to consider specialist dementia care homes.

At Hamberley Care Homes, we provide a compassionate and nurturing environment for individuals living with dementia. Our team of professionals is dedicated to ensuring each resident receives person-centred care tailored to their specific needs and preferences. We provide a sense of security and comfort for families, knowing that their loved ones are being well looked after in a safe, stimulating and homely environment.

Care homes for dementia are residential care settings that provide assistance with everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, and managing medications. Care home staff are trained to understand the challenges of living with dementia and provide support and compassion. 

Nursing homes for dementia offer more intensive medical care than care homes, providing specialised nursing to support people as their symptoms progress. Choosing a nursing home gives you peace of mind that as people’s care needs change and nursing requirements increase, indiviuals can remain in the same home for their care. When considering care, ask how many carers are trained in dementia and how they work with the clinical and nursing teams.

Every Hamberley home can provide nursing and residential care, with different types of specialist support tailored around care needs following a detailed care assessment and development of a care plan. We work closely with social services, GPs and families to provide the right information to guide care choices.

Absolutely. At Hamberley Care Homes, we believe in delivering exceptional, research-led care. Our collaboration with research bodies, consultants, and experts ensures that we provide the best practices in dementia care.

All our staff members undergo comprehensive dementia awareness training, enabling them to understand the complexities of living with dementia for both residents and their relatives. Our focus is not only on those living with dementia but also extends to their loved ones, ensuring we provide a comprehensive support system.

Within our teams, we have 'Champions' - dedicated staff members who receive advanced training to cater to residents with unique needs, including cognitive or behavioural challenges. This level of expert care underscores our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all our residents.

In essence, at Hamberley Care Homes, we prioritise professional development and empathy, underlining our dedication to excellence in dementia care.

People with dementia have to pay care home fees and an individual's financial situation and their specific nursing and care needs will have an impact on the cost of care. Hamberley Care Homes can carry out a needs assessment for you and arrange a financial assessment. 

Many individuals find that they are eligible for additional funding, such as Local Authority Funding, NHS Funded Nursing Care or NHS Continuing Healthcare. Our Regional Community Relations leads are experienced in guiding individuals and families through understanding these arrangements and costs.